Feb. 25, 2015
Will Hauver Egg Crack on the Head Challenge
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Across the country, the “Will Hauver Egg Crack on the Head Challenge” has spread quickly in order to raise awareness and donations for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
The challenge has hit close to home for Vanderbilt lacrosse teammates Kelly Chandler and Mallory Schonk. Chandler has a friend who went to school with Hauver at Rollins College, where Hauver was the captain of the lacrosse team. Schonk knew Hauver back in high school as she was a year younger at McDonogh School outside of Baltimore.
“He was always known as a fun-loving guy, that was super well-rounded and excelled at everything from athletics, to art and school,” Schonk said. “Everyone enjoyed spending time around Will and I think the outpouring of support that has been shown since his passing is a testament to how well loved he was.”
Hauver, 22, died on Feb. 2 due to complications from the flu and Type 1 diabetes. Last summer, Hauver participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise donations for ALS research. He then decided to crack an egg on his head for juvenile diabetes research awareness.
Weeks after his death, his friends and family picked up the torch and continued the “Will Hauver Egg Crack on the Head Challenge” to raise awareness for juvenile diabetes research. Spreading that cause has made its way to the Vanderbilt lacrosse team. Recently, with Chandler and Schonk spearheading the efforts, the entire team cracked eggs on their heads in freezing temperatures after practice to honor Hauver and spread the word about juvenile diabetes research.
In doing so, the team challenged the Vanderbilt baseball and women’s basketball teams, along with all 2015 Athlete Network interns, to participate in the challenge.
“I didn’t know Will personally, but it’s not every day you crack an egg on your head for someone,” Chandler said. “This challenge is important to me because it connects entire communities and groups of people together in order to celebrate an incredible individuals’ life while also raising awareness for a great cause. That is really special and I am so happy to have been apart of it.”