We are just TWO weeks away from the 126th Boston Marathon! Our 2022 Boston Marathon team will support Good Sports’ mission to increase access to play for children in need across the country. We can’t wait to cheer on Team Good Sports, all while helping give more kids the chance to play. Learn more about our team here:
Kyle Hughes – First Time Boston Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
As a high school cross country coach who has helped athletes of all various socioeconomic backgrounds, I feel the mission statement of Good Sports fits on a personal level. I believe giving children access to sporting equipment to allow them to participate and thrive is something incredibly beneficial and is often overlooked. It would mean something special to me to be able to raise money for a charity that aims to allow future generations to enjoy and participate in sports.
How did sports impact you growing up?
Sports have always been a part of my life. They have taught me valuable lessons which I use in my career and personal life including communication, dedication, and perseverance. I believe sports, both individual and team, are critical in the development of any person in our society and should not be limited to only those with certain financial and social advantages.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
Born For This – Paramore
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Cheeseburger
Claudia Haegar – First Time Boston Marathon Runner (in-person)
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
Good Sports does amazing things for the community, without sport there is no hope. Especially now, more than ever, kids need to be active, this will help ensure community, social connection, calm the mind, make them more empathetic citizens of the world.
How did sports impact you growing up?
I was really lucky to be able to try out different sports from a young age. I was living in Asia, so we had hot weather all year around. This meant that I was either swimming, playing tennis or playing soccer. I was always willing to give a new sport a try… whether it was fencing (which lasted 1 week!), windsurfing or athletics.
I watched my dad run all my life, it was his ‘time alone for reflection and mental well-being’ and without fail, no matter where in the world we were, he would always take his running shoes and go jogging at sun set. This was an inspiration for me, as he is now 85 years old and still runs.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
Roar – Katy Perry
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Solids: Fries and a burger
Liquid: Lots of beer!
Cole Braun – First Time Boston Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
I serve as the CEO of a group of 4 schools in Wisconsin. We serve 2,000 student’s total. Over 1,400 of them come from significantly underserved and challenging communities. We provide high school and grade school education for over 1,400 students whose family income level is less than 180% of the Federal poverty level. These families and kids have very little. We offer 18 different athletic teams to these students in addition to their normal schooling. My daily work is centered around giving kids who are underserved, forgotten or have very little, some HOPE. Hope that they can be loved, succeed, and build a life that is full. In our schools we raise a tremendous amount of money each year to provide equipment and education for these families and their communities. Sports in general is a major influencer in young underserved or high need kids. I want to do more, and I want to use my endurance goals to do more than serve myself. I want to make a difference and Good Sports provides help to families that I am also very interested in serving. The high-need, underserved kids. I love sports. I love and work every day to provide these kids the same opportunities in sports that other kids have, and Good Sports provides the equipment and resources to make this a reality. I am absolutely confident that I can passionately tell the story and the need of these kids to friends and families to financially support Good Sports so we can provide more equipment to high need kids. Perfect answer nothing to add.
How did sports impact you growing up?
I have been a runner for many years, and I wanted to run the Boston Marathon this year because a former athlete of mine qualified, so I wanted to run it with her. I researched the charities from the BAA Marathon page and read about each one to find out what charities I would align with. It was obvious that Good Sports was a great fit. I have not been involved with Good Sports before.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
Running Down A Dream – Tom Petty
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Pizza and a captain and coke.
Matthew Brisolari – First Time Boston Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
Sports have always been a huge part of my life, from playing youth rec to playing in college, and I recognize the vast amount of life lessons that they can teach you. These range from being a part of a team, to losing, to being resilient to get back up again. What seemed like something to be taken for granted growing up is not so for many kids living in underprivileged communities. Therefore, I want to raise money for a great organization to allow other kids to have the opportunity to have their life shaped by sports.
How did sports impact you growing up?
Sports gave me the opportunity to grow into the man I am today. Being a part of organized sports at every level throughout my life has allowed me to witness firsthand the powerful impact they have. They bring together people of all backgrounds and unite them in a similar cause by allowing them to work together. Sports are so much more than a competition – they are a symbol and preparation for life by forcing you to go through challenges, suffer losses, and being resilient to bounce back and achieve victory. I do not know where I would be without sports, and I don’t want to think about it.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
Who’s Got Your Love – Cheat Codes
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Frutti De Mare
Pete Kusiak – First Time Boston Marathon Runner (in-person)
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
I love what Good Sports does for children. My children have been fortunate enough to play the sport of their choosing and I have seen tremendous benefit from their participation in athletics. Beyond physical benefits, sports help children develop emotion, social, and cognitive skills. It breaks my heart to know that opportunities like that are not available for all children.
How did sports impact you growing up?
Sports taught me many lessons. How to compete and win, but also how to be a good sportsman when I didn’t. However, the biggest impact sports made on my childhood was keeping me active so I could have a better self-image.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
I Look Good – O.T. Genasis
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Pizza
Raju Rampa – First Time Boston Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
Growing up in India, I did not have the equipment or the resources to participate in some sports due to lack of access, such as tennis and golf. We were happy playing team sports that required limited resources such as soccer or cricket. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to excel at sports and equipment or facilities should not be the constraint. I love the fact that Good Sports provides this opportunity by providing equipment, apparel, and footwear to those in need and does so by working directly with sporting goods manufacturers.
How did sports impact you growing up?
I have played sports most of my life – track, soccer, cricket, and field hockey while growing up in India, and tennis and golf later in life. I represented my college in field hockey. Involvement in sports has taught me essential life skills:
- Team work – Work as a team and help each other. You are only as good as the team.
- Leadership – As a captain, I learned to listen to the team, determine how we would complement each other and develop strategies to win.
- Social skills – Built key skills such as sharing, caring for others, co-operating, and following instructions.
- Strive for continuous improvement – Always look for opportunities to improve, whether it is a golf swing or running form
- Friends for life – Most importantly, given the close bonding over extended periods of time, teammates are friends for life.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
Roar – Katy Perry
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Something spicy
Morgan Scoville – Ten Time Boston Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
I love the mission. I’ve dedicated my entire professional career to education and have seen first-hand the impact sports has on kids. More kids need access to sports, and I can share my own running story, that is backed by a lifelong commitment to serving in the field of education, to inspire others to join the Good Sports cause. It’s a perfect match!
How did sports impact you growing up?
Sports taught me how to marshal my emotional intelligence, built lasting relationships between my own teammates and kids I have coached, has opened doors for me (access to Villanova,) and helped me inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle. We all need sports in our lives!
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
I actually never run with music! Not in training or in racing. I think that is because I tried it once in the late 90’s when I was in high school and none of the wireless stuff was around. The cord to the earphones jostling around and carrying a music playing device were distractions. Over time, I learned to focus on my breathing and essentially just letting my mind wander. Kind of a meditative state!
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Cheese pizza
Sean Newell – First Time Boston Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
Good Sports mission is one that I believe hits home with most people regardless of their financial situation. It is extremely simple with something as small as a brand-new uniform having a lasting impact on a little kid’s life. Sports have had such a major role in my life and knowing that I am helping other children gain the positive impacts of sports has made this whole process extra special.
Good Sports also has a great support system for their runners that has been a huge help throughout my training. As a Good Sport athlete, we have access to the Heartbreak Hill Running Company training program, which holds group long runs every Saturday along mile 20 in Newton. Running 13+ miles with a group of people along the marathon route is far better than doing it by myself through the streets of Braintree.
How did sports impact you growing up?
Sports have been a part of my life since I was old enough to walk and hold a baseball. My neighborhood was full of children my age or older, so after school, we would always be at the park playing football, or out on the street playing street hockey. We also had our regular whiffle ball tournaments, which were extremely competitive. These neighborhood pickup games also helped me to develop lifelong friendships and taught me how to be a part of a team in a competitive nature at a young age.
As I got older, I fell in love with wrestling and lacrosse, both which had major impacts on my life. I credit most of the discipline and confidence I have in my life to the wrestling mats. In wrestling, you could not cheat yourself and rely on your team, it was always you and your opponent. This meant you were accountable for everything that happened, and there were no excuses for losing. Wrestling taught me that I needed to work hard for my own success, and I could not rely on the shoulders of others to succeed. Lacrosse, on the other hand, taught me the value of being on a team and how working together and having chemistry meant everything in the face of adversity.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
Notorious Thugs – Biggie Smalls
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Bacon cheeseburger with fries
Sidse Frisch Erichsen – First Time Boston Marathon Runner (in-person)
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
Our family does a lot of sports. It is a motivation to raise money to Good Sports activities and be a small part of helping kids.
How did sports impact you growing up?
My daughters have so much fun with their sports activities.
Our youngest daughter Isabella – 12 years old – does sports up to four days a week. Badminton, soccer and table tennis. She has got a lot of new friends. She likes competition and training to be the best. But also sleep-overs with her friends on weekends in the Sport Center is something she always looks forward to. To be part of a sports community is something that increases the confidence of children. That is also why I find the Good Sports Charity project interesting and a charity I like to support. You can make a huge difference for kids that need more confidence.
Our oldest daughter Celine – 15 years old – plays Handball in the local Sports Club and she runs two or three times a week.
Celine and the rest of her classmates will participate in a Half Marathon later this year. They will all run together.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Steak and frites
Joe Dardeno – First Time Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
It is just such a great cause and because sports have been so integral to my life, I want to make sure that sports are available to young people in the future. It is a great privilege, and I am honored to run for the Good Sports Marathon Team!
How did sports impact you growing up?
I have played sports my whole life and still play baseball. Sports taught me teamwork, inclusion, and hard work. Sports are a great lesson for life and help kids make friends and have fun. They kept me out of trouble and taught me that it is ok to fail, and it is all about how you react to failure. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to play sports growing up and I hope my fundraising can provide that opportunity to other kids.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
Gaslight Anthem – 59 Sound
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Burger and french fries
Becky Yaworski – First Time Boston Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
I love the mission of Good Sports. As an athlete and a high school softball coach, I truly understand the importance of youth sports. I believe that there is so much to learn from being a part of a team. I love that Good Sports allows more children to participate in sports and provides a space for them to learn how to work with others and learn to be a better version of themselves.
How did sports impact you growing up?
Sports have been fundamental in my upbringing. My father, a lifelong baseball player, got out the batting tee the same day I learned how to walk. From there I went on to play tee ball, then park district softball, then year-round travel softball, and high school softball. Today, 32 years later, I play on a slow pitch softball league and am entering my eight-year coaching high school softball on the west side of Chicago. Growing up, when not playing softball, I was also in gymnastics, basketball, and track. I was always heading to some sort of practice, game, or tournament. I would not change this for the world. I am still friends with teammates from middle school and high school. I made some of the best friendships from those year and still reach out to former coaches who have become mentors for my coaching career. Through sports I learned how to channel my nervous energy, something that benefits me greatly when I am heading into a challenging day at work. I learned how to communicate with my teammates, which now helps me to communicate better in my relationships at home and at work. Through sports, I learned how to be on time, how to learn from failure, and how to celebrate success. Being on team sports fulfilled my athletic and competitive needs as a child, but as I reflect on my time playing and look at my life now, I have realized that I learned a lot more than just how to run faster, hit farther, and throw harder. Many of the lessons I learned have shaped me into the person I am today and for that I am thankful.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
Circles – Post Malone
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Whatever I find on my way from the finish line to Fenway Park for the post-race party
Matthew McDonnell – First Time Boston Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
I was fortunate to be able to try many sports growing up, and for a long time I played a pretty expensive sport – ice hockey. But make no mistake about it – this was due to an extraordinary sacrifice by my parents. We didn’t have a lot of money, and we could barely afford the equipment to play. Everything I had was used (thank you Play It Again), and at one point I was the only kid on my hockey team with a wood stick: everyone else could afford aluminum or a composite material. However, despite barely being above the financial line of being able to afford sports, I still got to play and still received the benefits of playing sports.
It breaks my heart knowing there are kids out there who are on the other side of the line. Who can’t afford a ball, stick, glove, or shoes. This line from the Good Sports website really resonates with me: “While some families have the ability to afford sports gear, leagues, and travel costs – many do not.” I want to partner with Good Sports to bring the benefits of sports – benefits I’ve experienced firsthand – to kids who would otherwise be on the sidelines. Finally, despite living in Ohio currently, my wife and I have an affinity for the greater Boston area: we spent graduate and law school in Boston, and my wife in particular had the opportunity to work with local kids from low-income communities through her externships as a school psychologist in training. We know the need and feel very excited about partnering with Good Sports: a Braintree-based organization making an impact all over the country. We are excited to be returning to Boston in a couple weeks!
How did sports impact you growing up?
Sports have impacted my life by teaching me two valuable life lessons: dealing with adversity and leading with confidence.
Dealing with adversity: I’ve had some personal successes in endurance sports, but that didn’t start until high school – the verge of adulthood. As a youth, in all honesty sports were hard. I tried many sports and really wasn’t good at any of them: baseball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, football, and ice hockey. I excelled in school, but sports taught me that not everything in life is easy. In particular, I stuck with ice hockey for a long time, despite hating it at times, and feeling embarrassed about how bad I was. My parents encouraged me to keep at it (even though they could juuuuust barely afford it), and, despite never making a travel team in my life, I made the high school JV team (St. Cloud Apollo, Minnesota), which was a win for me. I’m happy that I didn’t give up on sports even though they were so much harder than school.
Leading with confidence: I was shy as a youth, but sports really turned that around for me. I was selected as captain of my hockey team in seventh grade. Then, when I took up running, I was selected as captain of both the cross country and track and field teams. This trend has continued throughout my life. I went from shy to vocal. I went from lurking in the background to standing in front of boys and girls, men and women, as their leader. And I owe that turnaround to sports.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
Lose Yourself – Eminem
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Whatever awaits in the finish area, whether it is bananas, granola bars, entire pizzas – anything
Jen Pasquazzi – Four Time Boston Marathon Runner
Why did you want to run the Boston Marathon for Good Sports?
I love what Good Sports stands for. Sports can make or break a young adults future and costs unfortunately keep many sidelined. By providing the proper equipment to those in need, many kids can thrive in competition. It’s a charity that funds a belief shared by me!
How did sports impact you growing up?
I am a lifelong competitive equestrian, and 15-year runner. Sports impact my life every day! I was fortunate to be raised by parents that could afford to keep me involved with horses and all the expensive equipment and training that goes along with it. I’ve lost many fellow computers in the industry due to cost. I’ve seen firsthand how being active in competition can keep you goal focused and too busy for trouble.
What song is definitely going to be on your playlist on Marathon Monday?
Monster – Kanye West
What’s the first meal you’re going to eat after completing the race?
Gluten
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