Carleton wins Panda game with a strong finish and a Hail Mary touchdown
Carleton University won this year’s Panda game with a final score of 33 -31 over the University of Ottawa and received a generous $500,000 donation to its football program. Behind by just four points and with just seconds remaining, Ravens quarterback Jesse Mills threw up a Hail Mary pass that netted them the important win.
Just before the coin toss at the beginning of the game, Carleton announced that The Taggart Parkes Foundation and Tamarack Homes are establishing the Taggart Family Awards for Ravens Football Student Athletes and the Taggart Family Ravens Football Fund.
“Carleton’s goal is to field a championship quality football team that provides its student athletes with exceptional academic and athletic opportunities in an environment that fosters the principles of good citizenship and lifelong learning,” said Carleton President Roseann O’Reilly Runte. “This generous donation from The Taggart Parkes Foundation and Tamarack Homes will go a long way in helping us realize that goal.”
The Taggart Football Fund will support annual operating costs of Ravens football. The Family Awards will be endowed and given annually to student football players who meet academic and athletic requirements.
“Carleton offers an outstanding student experience, and varsity sports such as football are an important part of that experience,” said Jim Taggart, chairman of The Taggart Group. “We are honoured to support our alma mater and help provide student athletes with the same incredible experience we enjoyed.”
NFL Canada also donated $5,000 during half-time, funds which will go directly to the team. The NFL donation was part of an initiative called NFL on Campus, designed to help Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) football programs generate excitement on campus. NFL Canada set up a number of interactive games and contests for students and fans before the Panda Game.
“We are excited to be a part of the Panda game – one of Canada’s great football traditions,” said NFL Canada spokesman Brian Findlay. “Supporting university football programs, by offering donations and game day experiences for fans, is our way of supporting the game at the grassroots level here in Canada. We are also proud to recognize the hard work that has gone into rebuilding Carleton Ravens football.”
Media Inquiries:
Chris Cline
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 1391
christopher_cline@carleton.ca
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Saturday, September 20, 2014 in News Releases
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