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Orangeburg Strongman Competition Remembers Former Northern Valley Student

ORANGETOWN, N.Y. -- Orangeburg's Varsity House gym is hosting the eighth annual Michael LaViola Foundation Strongman Challenge on Saturday, June 18.

Here's a scene from last year's Michael LaViola Foundation Strongman Challenge at Varsity House Gym in Orangeburg, New York, just over the border from Old Tappan. courtesy of Varsity House Gym

Here's a scene from last year's Michael LaViola Foundation Strongman Challenge at Varsity House Gym in Orangeburg, New York, just over the border from Old Tappan. courtesy of Varsity House Gym

 Photo Credit: courtesy of Varsity House Gym
the late Michael LaViola of Old Tappan

the late Michael LaViola of Old Tappan

 Photo Credit: courtesy of the LaViola Family
Here's a scene from last year's Michael LaViola Foundation Strongman Challenge at Varsity House Gym in Orangeburg, New York, just over the border from Old Tappan.

Here's a scene from last year's Michael LaViola Foundation Strongman Challenge at Varsity House Gym in Orangeburg, New York, just over the border from Old Tappan.

 Photo Credit: courtesy of Varsity House Gym
Here's a scene from last year's Michael LaViola Foundation Strongman Challenge at Varsity House Gym in Orangeburg, New York, just over the border from Old Tappan.

Here's a scene from last year's Michael LaViola Foundation Strongman Challenge at Varsity House Gym in Orangeburg, New York, just over the border from Old Tappan.

 Photo Credit: courtesy of Varsity House Gym
Rachel Martin

"This is going to be a great event, for an even better cause," organizers note. All proceeds will be donated to the Michael LaViola Foundation -- and the event has raised over $75,000 dollars to date.

The Michael LaViola Foundation raises money for pediatric sarcomas -- a type of cancers that occur in connective tissue like tissues, bones and soft tissues like muscles -- and provides scholarships for graduating students of Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan. 

The foundation celebrates the life of Michael LaViola, who died from this type of cancer in 2008, when he was 20. For more information on the foundation, read this Daily Voice article, or visit the foundation's website or Facebook page.

The foundation awards scholarships annually to graduating Old Tappan students: one to a football player who best exemplifies LaViola's love of the game, and one to a student who demonstrates a passion and ambition for life.

The Strongman Challenge will have three competition groups: eighth- and ninth-graders, high schoolers, and college and pro athletes. There will be three events: overhead press, tractor-tire flip and the "Death Medley" -- the farmers walk, sled drag and sandbag carry.

There will be prizes and giveaways for all contestants, a spectacular array of all-you-can-eat foods from local establishments and a 50/50 raffle. The entry fee is $25 per athlete and $10 per spectator, and the raffle tickets are $20.

"We are expecting at least 50 contestants and hundreds spectators at the event," organizers note. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Varsity House Gym, 337 Blaisdell Rd., Orangeburg.

For more information, email info@varsityhousegym.com, or call Anthony Macho at 201-726-2280, Chris Nealls at 201-362-5178 or Dan Goodman at 201-767-1305.

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