'Ball for a Cause' Raises Awareness of Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

The following was provided by the Summit Police Department: 

Members of the Summit Police Department and Summit Public School faculty will battle each other on the basketball court as part of “Ball for A Cause” to raise money for the 2014 Police Unity Tour. The Police Unity Tour, whose motto is “We ride for those who died,” was established to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty.

“Ball for a Cause” will be held on Thursday, November 21 at Summit High School (SHS) and feature two basketball games. The first game, between Summit police officers and Summit public school faculty, will tip off at 7:00 pm. 

A second game will follow with SHS faculty versus Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School (LCJSMS) faculty in a grudge match for bragging rights in the Summit district.  Come cheer for your favorite teachers and administrators, such as Dave Field (SHS), Chris Freisen (fan favorite from LCJSMS), Jeff Heaney (LCJSMS Assistant Principal), rookie Dan Trench (LCJSMS Science Department) and Christina Allien (SHS Math Department).

“The focus of this year’s basketball contest between the Summit teachers and police officers will be to accomplish two goals:  First, that we continue to build and strengthen the relationships that have grown over the years between the two organizations and second, to support the Summit police officers who are participating in this year’s Police Unity Tour which was created to raise awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices.

Last year, over 1,700 law enforcement members rode from their home states to Washington, DC.  This year, fifteen Summit police officers, myself included, will make the ride on their own time to show their support for the men and woman who have died in the line of duty. That the Summit school system is joining our cause is a testament to our mutually supportive relationship, and I’m very grateful to them and to all those who will come out to watch the basketball game.”

Chief of Police

Robert Weck

Doors open at 6:30 pm; games begin at 7:00 pm.  There is a $5 admission fee and the public is welcome.

For more information, please contact Detective Ryan Stanek at the Summit Police Department (908) 598-2171, Jeff Heaney at LCJSMS (908) 273 1190 or Don Standing at SHS (908)273-1494.