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LORETTO, Pa. (April 13, 2012) – Wednesday night in DeGol Arena marked the first ever Mr. SFU male pageant, which raised over $1,000 for the Zack Hinish Foundation.
 
“Mr. SFU ended up being extremely successful and exceeded everyone's expectations,” Kelley Doogan, an event coordinator, said. “It feels really great to be able to give back to the Zack Hinish Foundation. I'm already looking forward to next year.”
 
Zack Hinish passed away at the age of five after suffering from numerous neurological disorders and was bound by a wheelchair for the majority of his life. The date of the Mr. SFU pageant, April 11, marked Zack's eighth birthday.
 
For a very small donation, students, faculty and staff were able to attend the inaugural event with all proceeds benefitting the Zack Hinish Foundation. The first-year event had over 300 people in attendance, including Tami and Jeff Hinish, Zack's parents. The event itself was a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee sponsored event but received many outside donations from a number of local businesses in the area.
 
"The Mr. SFU event was without a doubt one of the most amazing, inspiring, touching, organized and fun events I have seen a group of students put on,” Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Academic Services John Krimmel said. “I am so incredibly proud of our student-athletes. The event gave everyone some great laughs but it also brought people to tears with touching moments like when our student-athletes honored Zack Hinish's memory and recognized his parents.”
 
Mr. SFU was a competition between athletes from each male athletic team at Saint Francis University measuring school spirit and character. The title of Mr. SFU was awarded to the participant who best represented what it is to be a Red Flash. Mr. SFU is defined as an athlete who brings their best to SFU athletics and the community every day, leads by example, makes others better, has respect for all, and importantly, has a boatload of personality.
 
The eight participants were judged on four different categories: semiformal swag, swimwear, talent and a question and answer session to conclude the competition. Judges for the event were a mixture of faculty and staff members that included Mr. Brent Ottaway, Dr. Pedro Muino, Dr. Robin Cadwallader and Father Nathan Malavolti. The crown this year went to Greg Gurtizen of the pep band.
 
Along with Gurtizen, also participating were Kingsley McLeod of the men's soccer team, men's tennis player Sergio Carvajal, defensive lineman Chris Shepard, Andrew Krout of the men's golf team, senior opposite hitter Alex Kane, men's basketball freshman Earl Brown and senior distance runner Ryan DuBois.
 
“Our student-athletes continue to show that they are more than just students-athletes, but they are also difference makers in the community. Kellie Mason, Kelley Doogan, Tia Dudukovich, John Skarupa, Tamas Maffey-Stumpe and Paul Print, with the support of their fellow members of SAAC really brought this event together and made it a huge success,” Krimmel said. “I am inspired by our students here at Saint Francis and that is why I love coming to work everyday because I get to work with the best students around. I am so proud of all the work our student-athletes have done this year to help impact change and help make a difference."
 
An official amount of money generated from the event is still to be determined. T-shirts are still available for five dollars and can be purchased by contacting John Krimmel at jkrimmel@francis.edu.