YORK, Pa. — Remembering Courtney Groft, a Penn State York student-athlete who died in a car crash last year, is something the women’s volleyball team is dedicated to. Whether it is displaying Groft’s jersey, No. 3, on the first seat of the players' bench chair where she sat, her photo hanging in the athletic offices, or the words “Play for Court” on the back of their warm-up jerseys, the team pays tribute to her.
Now, Sadie Schantz, a Penn State York student and member of the volleyball team, has found another way to remember her; the Gift of Life Fundraiser Game in honor of Groft set for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, in the gym of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center on campus. York takes on Penn State Scranton.
There are many reasons why Schantz came up with this event to honor Groft.
“She was a really great friend, and I wanted to be able to honor her and how she contributed to the women's volleyball team here at Penn State York,” said Schantz. “Early on this season I was hoping to find a way to honor her in a game, and after some thought, I decided that it might be a good idea to fundraise for Gift of Life as a way to honor Courtney's own contribution to Gift of Life. Courtney was an organ donor, and because of this she was able to save other lives.”