Wockenfus, basketball team join forces to fight spina bifida

The Saint Mary’s men’s basketball team is joining with team alumnus Ryan Wockenfus ’11 in a fundraising effort to help fight spina bifida.

On May 19, Wockenfus, a current member of the SMU Admission staff in Winona, will be participating in the upcoming “Tough Mudder,” a 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces to test athletes’ all-around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie.

The grueling event will take place in Somerset, Wis., and Wockenfus — whose younger sister, Kaley, was born with spina bifida in 1991 — will be a part of “Team Spina Bifida.”

“This is our chance to support my younger sister, along with all other individuals and families who have been affected by spina bifida,” said Wockenfus, a four-year member of both the SMU men’s basketball and track and field teams.

While Wockenfus will be tackling the “Tough Mudder” — and its underground mud tunnels, fire, ice-water, 12-foot walls and 10,000 volts of electricity — the Cardinal men’s basketball team will be doing its part during their Saturday, Feb. 4, game against Macalester, beginning at 3 p.m.

The Cardinals will be soliciting pledges based on the Cardinals’ performance against the Scots in the “hustle areas” — offensive rebounds, assists, steals and drawing offensive fouls. (For example, if you pledge 10 cents, and the Cardinals total 11 offensive rebounds, 12 assists and four steals, you would donate $2.70.)

For more information, or to make a pledge, contact SMU men’s basketball coaches Todd Landrum (tlandrum@smumn.edu) or Kevin Landrum (klandrum@smumn.edu) or Ryan Wockenfus (rwockenf@smumn.edu). Pledges will also be accepted any time prior to the game on Feb. 4.