In September 2017, Keegan Felton passed away while jogging on the indoor track of the Student Recreation Center. Felton was a fifth generation Vandal along with his brother Cooper, a fourth-year student who started “Lifting for Life” last spring.
Felton started the event in partnership with the University of Idaho Wellness Program and Pi Kappa Alpha to educate the student population on safe and effective lifting practices and to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in honor of Keegan. Last year $7,000 was raised at the event, he said.
According to the Make-A-Wish page for the event, $1,825 has already been raised. PIKE President Jesse Watson said Make-A-Wish was chosen due to its mission—“to grant the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”
Felton said Keegan was on the autism spectrum and was determined to continue the family tradition of higher education at the University of Idaho.
“Keegan was one of the biggest Vandal fans to ever attend this University and was presented with the 2017 Vandal Spirit award,” Felton said. “As his younger brother I created this event to help support children who are also battling various form of adversity.”
Personal trainers at the event will demonstrate three compound lifts — squats, bench and deadlifts. There will also be a short demonstration, he said.
Watson said that fraternity members will help the professional trainers run the lifting classes as well as participating themselves.
“There is a lot of work and preparation that goes into this event and our chapter has been working hard to make it as successful as last year,” Watson said.
Lifting for Life will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 27 in the Student Recreation Center. The event is open to all over the age of 18, with a $10 entry charge for students and $15 for community members.
Ellamae Burnell can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @EllamaeBurnell