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BLACKSBURG - For the sixth straight fall, the Virginia Tech baseball program will participate in its signature 19 Ways event “Shave for the Brave” and this year’s “Shave” will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29 at English Field from 5-8 p.m. in conjunction with another of its annual events, the Halloween game. In the past, each “Shave” event has seen more than 60 players, coaches, Tech administrators and friends and family of the Hokies shave their heads in an effort to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research.

The Hokies’ “Shave” benefits the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization the program started working with thanks to their relationship with Melina Brown, who raises money for cancer research in association with the foundation and “46 Mommas Shave for the Brave”. Her son Levi - an adopted member of the Tech baseball team - was diagnosed with medulloblastoma when he was four. Now 15, he is cancer free, but everyday 46 mothers in the United States are told their child has cancer, so the fight never ends.

The combined level of donation to St. Baldrick’s from the Tech baseball program in its five years of holding its “Shave” has pushed past $100,000, however this year, the Hokies are looking to add a little piece of hardware for their efforts.

St. Baldrick’s has started a friendly competition called the “Battle of the Bald” - the ultimate college showdown with schools competing to see who can raise the most money between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30. On Dec. 15, the champion school will get to take home the Bald Cup. To check out the standings CLICK HERE.

The 2015 Tech goal is to raise at least $30,000 - or more, enough to bring home the cup. The team will be turning to the web and social media to help with its fundraising efforts. The following site - https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/VTBaseball - gives all the details. Scroll down then click on “View All Participants” and sponsor your favorite Hokie.

This year’s “Shave” will be held in conjunction with baseball’s fourth annual ALS Awareness Halloween game, which sees the Tech players dress up in their favorite costumes and play an instrasquad scrimmage. Fans are encouraged to dress up as well, while treats will be available for all.

Both events are part of the baseball team’s 19 Ways campaign, which was started back in 2010 and challenges the members of the Tech baseball team to find 19 Ways to help make a difference within the community during the current academic year. The Hokies have already been involved with several initiatives, including Lemonade for Livy, Hokie Helpers and a youth clinic in Pulaski. Other events anticipated for the sixth year of 19 Ways include assisting in the efforts with Micah’s Backpack, Taste of Inspiration (partners with the Special Olympics), No Shave November and Malia Crushes Cancer and hosting a military appreciation breakfast, to name a few.

To see images of past events and to stay current with this year’s 19 Ways events, go to the campaign’s facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/19Ways. To suggest events or to make donations directly to 19 Ways, contact Austin Hartsook, Tech’s Director of Baseball Operations, by phone: (540) 231-9976 or email: hartsook@vt.edu. Also check the site, or the official Tech baseball twitter page - @VT_Baseball - to keep up-to-date on the 2015 Shave event.

For updates on Virginia Tech baseball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Baseball