The Triangle

Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Dan Bell

While the pain has not completely subsided for Steve Koch since his wife's passing, there are certain people and organizations who have done everything in their will to help honor Laura Meikle Koch's spirit and make Steve proud to be a Drexel Dragon.

And once again, Drexel students are defying all odds to help benefit the community and show the utmost respect to a Drexel soccer legend and a woman known for her perseverance, positive outlook on life and inspiration.

The Drexel triathlon team is aiming to raise $25,000 for its Drexel University Triathlon Team Dragon Supporter Program. While 50 percent of the proceeds will go to the team to help fundraise for the 2009 season, the other half will go directly to the Laura Meikle Koch Locker Room Campaign.

"It's hard for me to find words because these students have been stepping up and doing things to help this campaign in Laura's honor," Steve Koch, the associate director of recreation-intramurals, said. "It's an amazing student initiative and drive for someone to do something for a good cause. They didn't know Laura, yet they still want to do something for her. It's incredible."

Since many members have a close relationship with Steve Koch, the team thought it was the perfect opportunity to give back to someone they admired so deeply.

As difficult as it was to empathize with Steve's loss, the members of the triathlon team wanted to do what it could to ease his grief and get more information on the Locker Room Campaign. They told Steve their organization was looking for a cause or charity to support and felt it was in their best interest to support his family.

"For Steve, it will show that the community supports him," Julie Novak, the advertising chair for the triathlon club, said. "I can't imagine going through what he's gone through."

The overall estimated project cost for the Locker Room Campaign is $100,000. Drexel is hoping to reach that figure within three years.

"With any good organization, you always need to give back to the community in some form, whether it's helping kids, donating to a charity or helping students," Dan Bell, the president of the triathlon club team, said. "It shows Drexel students care about the Drexel community and are really proud to leave their mark."

Meikle Koch lost her battle with lung cancer in the spring of 2008. But her family, friends, teammates and the Drexel Athletic Department made a commitment to honor her life and endure her memory. By students providing additional help, it shows that when a fellow Dragon is down, the rest of the Drexel community will rise to the occasion and help that member in need.

Continued...

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