On Sunday, September 28, 2014, Seth Appert, the head men’s hockey coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), laced up his running shoes for a meaningful cause: honoring CW4 Richard Curadi, a soldier with 32 years of dedicated service in the Marines and Army. The Adirondack Marathon (held in the picturesque town of Schroon Lake, New York) is a heartfelt tribute and a chance to give back. 

It was part of a fundraising effort for Defending The Blue Line®, an organization committed to ensuring hockey opportunities for children in military families. This initiative has been close to Seth and the RPI Hockey Family, thanks to the efforts of Senior Assistant Captain Luke Curadi, who introduced the charity to the team over a year ago.

A Personal Mission

Seth described the honor of running in memory of Richard Curadi and supporting Defending The Blue Line:

“I am humbled to run the Adirondack Marathon in honor of Rich Curadi while continuing the RPI Hockey Family mission of providing hockey opportunities to military families.”

To make this fundraiser even more special, donors contributing $26.20 or more (the equivalent of the marathon’s 26.2 miles) received a commemorative military challenge coin. 

This intricately designed coin featured a Chinook helicopter on one side and was serialized for each donor. It wasn’t just a token of appreciation but a meaningful keepsake symbolizing their support for military families and the legacy of CW4 Richard Curadi.

How to Get Involved?

The Adirondack Marathon served as a perfect intersection of sport, community, and honoring service members. By donating, supporters helped further Defending The Blue Line’s mission and celebrated the spirit of camaraderie, much like in hockey, where teamwork and support are everything.