ATHENS, W. Va. (WVVA) -Athens resident Kevin O’Sullivan served as an administrator at Concord University for thirty years.
After his passing, his children created and organized a race in his honor, as a continued memorial of their father’s legacy. They chose to give the Kevin O’Sullivan Classic a Saint Patrick’s Day date and theme to honor his heritage as well.
“Kevin O’Sullivan always was the prankster. I’ve heard stories of board meetings where, if it was around St. Patrick’s Day, he would put green food coloring… in all the water cups. It’s his Irish that’s been very strong in the family tradition, and if people know my father, they would have known he had this Irish flair to him, and it’s something that was missing in the Mercer County area, so we thought we would bring it,” says Colin O’Sullivan, head committee member of the 5K and one of the six kids of Kevin O’Sullivan.
However, his passion for his Irish heritage wasn’t the only thing being memorialized through this race, but also his passion for helping Concord University students, with one hundred percent of the funds raised going to the Five Aces Scholarship Fund, which Kevin O’Sullivan helped to start.
In their decade-long span, they’ve already raised for than fifty thousand dollars for local Concord University students, money which could be the difference between whether a student drops out or graduates.
“We like to say on our website, this is a purpose-driven, purpose-lead organization. He gave us that purpose. He gave thousands of students at Concord that purpose that are out making a difference in the world, and this is a small step for us to remember him again, and for all the years to come for those students who are able to benefit from the scholarship fund, so that they can give back to the next generation,” says Colin O’Sullivan.
We spoke to the winner of this year’s race, Nathaniel Evans, who came in second place a few years back but returned to give it another go. He says he’s glad to see the money raised here going to something as important as continuing education and keeping this legacy alive.
“I think it’s a great thing. I think being able to honor somebody that is very important to the community, very important to Concord, being able to remember them and race is very important,” says Evans.
This year also marks one decade since the race first began, with the original route of the race staying the same every year since. We asked what made this race become a decade-long tradition.
“We want this to be an experience, not just a race. You can donate money, someone could write a check and give money, we want this to be an experience that people will come back year in, over and over again, and we have it. I’m starting to see kids now that are growing up, and I… gave one a hug when I came in, and said, ‘This wouldn’t be a race without you.’ Like, she’s been coming since she was five, now she’s about to graduate. It’s fantastic to see that and to see that love,” says Colin O’Sullivan
Colin O’Sullivan says the race continues to attract new racers even a decade later, ensuring his father’s legacy will continue to be remembered on the Concord University campus.
If you would like to find out more about this race, O’Sullivan says you can go to the Kevin O’Sullivan Classic 5K website, Facebook, or Instagram pages.
If you would like more information about donating to the Five Aces Scholarship Fund, he says you can contact the Concord University Foundation.
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