Missy Franklin, MSAA Visit Pirates
12/11/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Last month, Seton Hall was paid a visit by a national Olympic icon. Four-time Olympic Gold Medal Champion Missy Franklin worked on a series of public service announcements for the Multiple Sclerosis Associate of America (MSAA), at the Pirates' own Arthur E. Imperattore Natatorium.
Franklin, an ambassador for the MSAA's Swim for MS program, spent the morning of Nov. 18 shooting video and posing for photos.
Swim for MS is a national fundraiser in which volunteers are encouraged to create their own swim challenge while recruiting online donations to support the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA). Swim for MS is unique because MSAA does not plan the event - you do! As a Swim for MS volunteer, you have the opportunity to create and arrange your own special Swim activity. You can participate individually or recruit other swim enthusiasts to form a team.
"The aquatic facility at Seton Hall University was the perfect place for MSAA to shoot our Swim for MS public service announcements with our Swim for MS Ambassador Missy Franklin," stated MSAA President and CEO Doug Franklin. "The athletics staff was amazing at meeting the needs of our organization and facilitated the process for everyone involved. I thank Seton Hall for helping MSAA fulfill our mission to enrich the quality of life for everyone affected by MS."
After Franklin left, several current members of the Seton Hall swim team participated in a photo shoot and showed their support for the MSAA and Swim for MS.
"It was a great opportunity for our swimmers to help raise awareness about MS," said Ron Farina Seton Hall Head Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Coach. "It's a relationship we hope to continue and expand in the future."
This was the second time in the last 15 months that the Pirates' swim facility was utilized for video shoots featuring Olympic stars. Last September, Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Natalie Coughlin made the trip to Seton Hall to film commercials for Speedo.
"The exposure our swimming program has received over the past year and half by hosting four U.S. Olympic swimmers is tremendous, coupled by the fact these four Olympians are arguably the most recognizable in the world, is just fantastic for the program and Seton Hall University," Farina said.
For more information on how you can contribute to Swim For MS, please visit their website, SwimforMS.org!
