In its four years, the Matt Whiten Legacy Tournament has raised more than $41,000 for local charities
A minor football tournament organized in memory of a young Sault man killed in a collision with a motor vehicle has again raised serious dollars for local charities.
In 2020, Matt Wheten tragically died in a car accident at the age of 20. He played for the Sault Sabrecats and St. Mary’s College football teams, playing on the same team as his younger brother Aaron for one season. .
After Matt’s death, Greg Caruso and Matt Premo approached Matt’s family with the idea of hosting an annual touch football tournament to give back to the community and make sense of the young man’s sudden loss. Aaron immediately signed on as co-organizer of the tournament on behalf of his brother.
On August 24, the Matt Wheten Legacy Tournament celebrated its fourth year with a well-attended charity event at Rocky DiPietro Fields.
“He always wanted to help people and he was always the one who made you laugh,” Aaron said. “He was there to put a smile on your face.”
On Tuesday, Aaron and other co-organizers of the Matt Wheten Legacy Tournament presented a check for $5,500 to SOYA, an outreach organization that supports people living with addiction and the effects of poverty.
This is the second year in a row that the tournament donates part of the proceeds to SOYA. Last year the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters also received money from the tournament and will benefit from that this year as well.
In its four years of running, the tournament has raised more than $41,000 for local charities.
“It was really huge and we exceeded our expectations,” Aaron said. “It’s nice to show that Matt’s legacy of helping people is still there.”
Connie Raynor-Elliott, founder of SOYA, said her organization does not receive stable funding and relies on the public and organizations like the Matt Wheten Legacy Tournament to achieve its mission.
The tournament also offers SOYA the opportunity to have an information table during the event, so that more people can be reached.
“It’s so much fun, and what a legacy for Matt,” Raynor-Elliott said of the tournament.
“You can see the love and compassion. It’s just a great event and what they do for the community is amazing.”