By Kate Renyi — Sports Contributor
This month, the Concord-Carlisle High School Friends of Swim and Dive (CCFOSD) announced its Rock the Blocks Campaign to raise $85,000 to buy and install new starting blocks at the Beede Center.
As of January 16, the team had raised more than $32,000. The entire Rock the Blocks campaign is at $82,000.
The swim and dive team held Swim-A-Lot on January 8. Seventy-one swimmers swam 8,882 laps, equivalent to more than 126 miles, in one hour. With the team’s goal achieved, the head coaches have agreed to shave off their beards — something coach Matt Goldberg has not done in more than 20 years.
“The kids were all really proud of what they accomplished and came out of the pool exhausted. Swimmers and divers are amazed with the generosity of their neighbors and families,” Goldberg said. “This is an initiative that benefits the entire community. From masters swimmers to club swimmers to beginner swimmers, anyone who swims at the Beede Center will have access to state-of-the-art competition equipment.”
The new Myrtha starting platforms will alleviate current safety concerns thanks to an anchoring system that makes them wobble-free. Removable stainless steel tops will allow for easy resurfacing, and movable wedge and side handrail features allow for more powerful, competitive starts.
CCFOSD will donate the blocks and installation as a gift to the Beede Center.
Rock the Blocks was initiated by Jim Terry, a master’s swimmer who donated $25,000 toward the campaign.
The fundraising committee reached out to alumni who swam under coach Jerry Moss. It surpassed its goal to raise at least $4,500 in honor of Moss’ 45th year of coaching the team.
Learn more at givebutter.com/rocktheblocks.
