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(Editor’s Note: This article is by Jaime Fettrow, of Uplifting Athletes)

It started with a backache. ������ offensive line coach Casey Vogt chalked it up to long car rides as he recruited the newest class of Raider football players.

He eventually consulted a team doctor who ordered X-rays and an MRI. Turns out, the culprit had nothing to do with recruiting, car rides or coaching in general. Vogt had a tumor on his spinal cord.

“I was shocked,” Vogt said.

It was early 2008 when Vogt was diagnosed with ependymoma, a rare cancer that causes tumors on the spinal cord or brain, most common in children. A little more than two months after being diagnosed, Vogt had the tumor removed.

The surgery was a success; doctors believe they removed the entire mass. All the while, his players did not know the extent of the diagnosis. They knew he had back surgery, they just didn’t know about the cancer.

“It wasn’t until three years later before we opened up to some of his players,” said Vogt’s wife, Amber. And that’s when the team sprang into action, choosing this year to raise money and awareness for ependymoma research.

“I was honored that they wanted to do that for me,” Vogt says.

Players said the decision was easy since Vogt is such an inspiration to them.

“Coach, outside of my parents and direct family, has been one of the most positive influences in my life,” said Kevin Morgan ’12. “One of the biggest things he has taught me is how much caring and supporting others means to those who you care and support.”

The ������ Chapter of Uplifting Athletes has chosen to support the Collaborative Ependymoma Research Network, or , through its annual Lift For Life fundraiser, which will be held 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (March 23) in Sanford Field House.

Vogt has several scans and checkups every year, and, so far, everything has checked out. He had a slight scare this past season, but doctors believe he was experiencing side effects of the surgery and not from the disease.

Casey has even more reason to fight ependymoma: his son.

“He makes me be more conscious of my health,” Casey says of his 22-month old.

Meanwhile, Vogt’s players are conscious of his contributions to the team.

“No matter what we accomplish this year, nothing can equate to what he does for us on a daily basis,” said Ryan Risch ’13. “Coach treats us not just as numbers on a roster, but also like his own sons.”

It’s the ultimate compliment for a coach.

More

• The ������ Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will hold its Lift For Life fundraiser at 7:30 p.m Wednesday (March 23) at Sanford
Field House. The public is invited.

Mark Murphy ’77, president of the Green Bay Packers, has donated a Clay Matthews signed jersey and a signed helmet from Greg Jennings to raffle off.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students, and children are free.

• To help the team reach its goal of $10,000 for ependymoma research, for its donation page.