College and Keene Community Show Support for Dallas
From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: On hand to watch the Owl basketball teams take on rival Plymouth State, a capacity “Code Red” crowd opened up their hearts and their wallets for Keene State field hockey player Erin Dallas on Tuesday night. Making donations in lieu of ticket purchases, and through T-shirt sales and a 50/50 raffle, fans showed their support for the two-time KSC All-American who developed a post-surgical infection following an ACL operation last December. Since that time, Dallas has been hospitalized and has had multiple operations. Teammates, coaches, and staff, many of whom had decorated her hospital room with cards and flowers, spent the evening coordinating fund-raising activities.
Midway through the second half of the women’s game, Dallas, who had spent 50 consecutive days in the hospital, made an unexpected appearance in the gym. “When I found out I could go out, I wanted to try and come over,” said Dallas, who was greeted and hugged by her teammates. She said she is feeling much better: “I have another surgery coming up, but in the meantime I’m working real hard rehabbing and getting motion back in my leg.”
Walking with the aid of crutches, Dallas received a pair of standing ovations from the crowd, once at the start of the men’s game, and later as one of the many KSC fall athletes who were honored at halftime. Her final job for the night was to reach into a large bowl and pick the 50/50-raffle winner. The lucky ticket, worth $408, belonged to Melissa Small, a sophomore member of the women’s basketball team.
After making her way to center court to receive her winnings, Small surprised the crowd by handing the money right back to Dallas. When the final tally was calculated, Dallas and her family received $3,855 to help cover medical expenses.
