May 19, 2011

Official Press Release

Overcast and drizzly conditions didn't stop a massive throng of 45,000 people from descending on Central Park this past Sunday for the 26th annual AIDS Walk New York, an event which raised $6.2 million for various AIDS service organizations in the tri-state area.

Lehman College and Lehman Athletics, including the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, were well represented, as a hearty group dubbed “Team Lightning” took part in the 10-kilometer walk. Leading the way for the student-athlete group were Mingfan Sun (men's swimming), Michael Liang (baseball), Troy Thompson (men's track and field), Tobi Alli (women's track and field), and Onix Mejia (baseball).

“Once again Lehman's student-athletes proved that despite their busy schedules juggling class and sport responsibilities, that there is always time to assist in a great cause,” said Lehman associate athletic director Nate Wainwright, who also participated in the walk. “Lehman's student-athletes have been eager participants in similar endeavors all year long and Sunday was no different.”

Sunday's crowd also included various celebrities from several hit television shows including Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet from “Modern Family,” Jack Mackenroth from “Project Runway,” and CBS 2 news anchors Mary Calvi, Don Dahler, Maurice Dubois, Rob Morrison, Dana Tyler and Elise Finch.

AIDS Walk New York has turned into the world's largest AIDS fundraiser, raising more than $116 million since 1986 for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area. In 2010, the walk raised over $5.8 million.