allCanes wanted to update everyone on our involvement with the Pata family in regards to Bryan Pata.
Last fall, our loyal customer based scooped up over 1,100 of our U FAMILY shirts (with a #95 on the back for BP) over a six week span. From mid-November through December 24th, for every U FAMILY tee sold, allCanes put $9.50 towards the Pata Foundation. When we tallied everything up, just over $11,000 had been raised.
Last week our GM Harry Rothwell attended the unveiling of the new #95 locker. Pata’s old locker now sports a plaque with “U FOOTBALL”, his name, number and “Donated by the allCanes Family.”
I spoke with Harry earlier and will recap what was a rather emotional experience, attended by Roger Bell (associate AD), Randy Shannon, Jeanette Pata (mother), Ronette Pata (sister), Josh Peskin (allCanes) and Harry. It was the Pata family’s first trip back to The U since the memorial service last November and seeing the locker where BP used to dress proved very difficult for his family.
allCanes donated the $11,000 to the Pata foundation and a portion of that went to the plaque on Bryan’s old locker. After the unveiling, the Pata family dropped by allCanes to reminisce.
We want to take this time to offer our heartfelt thanks to all of you who purchsed the U FAMILY shirt. For those who don’t remember, we created that shirt as a pick me up for our players and coaches in the midst of a down season.
The shirt was slated to hit shelves around the time Pata was murdered and it seemed a no brainer to add his #95 to the back of this special tee. It became a rallying cry and was featured on several diehard fans in the stands for the Thanksgiving match up against Boston College.
Last week was special and on some levels, brought an ounce of happiness to an otherwise tragic story. Thank you all again for helping support this cause.
The allCanes Family