On February 23, 2002, Kevin, a sophomore at the Pennsylvania State University, was competing in the Big Ten men's indoor track and field championships in the University of Minnesota Field House. Just before his vault, Kevin turned to his father and spoke, "This is my day, Dad." These were the last words Kevin spoke before he lost his life upon impact with the metal vaulting box doing what he loved most. An accomplished pole-vaulter, Kevin Dare loved to soar like an eagle. He made this difficult sport look easy. He had no fear, and was a confident competitor because thousands of times before, he had sprinted down the path, put his fiberglass pole into the metal box, bent the pole, flung himself up high off the ground to clear a yellow bar, and then fell back to Earth onto the landing pit. Kevin's determination, along with his courage, strength, and speed made him a champion and someone to be admired. In celebration of Kevin's life and accomplishments, the family and friends he left on earth have begun the tradition of the annual Kevin Dare Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Kevin Dare Memorial Foundation. Since the benefit began in 2002, the Foundation has raised the funds to fully endow a scholarship in Kevin's honor, and continues to actively promote safety in the sport of pole vaulting.
