The Craig Willinger Fund

June 12th, 2024 | Posted By: Joe Gaeta | Posted in Alumni
The Craig Willinger Fund, formed in 2009, seeks to improve the lives of children and young adults stricken with critical illnesses by providing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to experience world-class soccer—both domestically and abroad. Craig was a graduate of 1987 graduate of Curley, he passed February 15th 2012.
To read more about the Craig Willinger Fund click on the link
Since 2010, sixteen honorees have traveled to South Africa, Barcelona, Milan, London, Madrid, New York City, Kansas City, Orlando, Washington D.C., Manchester (UK), Leicester (UK), and Brazil, including two World Cup tournaments and a UEFA Champions League Final. Visit www.cwfund.org for more information.
Southern Maryland native Webb Kosich celebrated the belated first anniversary of his bone marrow transplant as an honored guest of the United States Soccer Federation and the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Webb and his family, including his bone marrow donor and sister Julia, were given exclusive access to a player meet-and-greet during a session at the team’s training facility in Bethesda, Maryland. On game day June 8th, he was surprised with a private locker room tour which featured a special locker designated for him with a full custom U.S. kit and a pair of cleats exclusively made for Christian Pulisic, one of Webb’s sources of inspiration during his diagnosis of aplastic anemia and subsequent treatment. Webb was also featured in an on-field pregame ceremony and received an official match ball.
In addition to this amazing experience for Webb, who plays for William & Mary men’s soccer (NCAA Division I) and the Annapolis Blues (NPSL), the CWFund shared that Webb will also receive tickets, travel, and accommodations to attend his first Tottenham Hotspur match in London, the English Premier League club he has followed since his youth.
“Despite the outcome of today’s match, the U.S. Men’s National Team are winners in our eyes,” stated CWFund trip chaperone Emily Agueda. “Everyone from the players, coaches, staff, and front office helped Webb celebrate returning to the pitch after a grueling treatment and celebrated Julia’s contribution to his recovery. Webb can now put his illness behind him and carry these memories for a lifetime.”