Walk to be held in memory of coach

The 4th Annual Chuck Lelas Memorial 10K Run/Walk, scheduled for May 12, not only celebrates the life of Chuck Lelas, a beloved coach and guidance counselor--it raises thousands of dollars to help send local student athletes to college.

Lelas built his life around working with young people and helping them achieve their goals. He worked as a guidance counselor at West Springfield High School, and after coaching area high school baseball and basketball teams, became the head coach of the American International College (AIC) baseball team. The dedication he brought to both his students and his players was unwavering, and he was committed to helping them become good people, good students and finally, good athletes. Tragically, Lelas died of a massive heart attack on Sept. 2, 2003.

To honor their father and husband, the Lelas family organized the Chuck Lelas 10K Memorial Run/Walk in 2004 to raise scholarship funds for the student athletes he loved so much. The first three races were phenomenally successful, raising the $18,000 that the Lelas family awarded to local college-bound student athletes. An additional $3,000 has also been awarded to the AIC baseball team to pay for new equipment.

Not only has the race been successful in raising scholarship funds, but it has also inspired many to get off the couch and get in shape for the 10K course.

The Lelas family hopes to continue this success at this year's event in Forest Park in Springfield MA. For more information on the race, or to download a registration form, visit www.lelas.org.