EAST STROUDSBURG – The East Stroudsburg University cross country program will contribute more than $650 to the Joplin Initiative, a program instituted by the USTFCCCA (U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) in conjunction with the NCAA Division II Championships at Missouri Southern on November 17.

The town of Joplin, Missouri was devastated by a EF-5 tornado in May 2011, which included 160 deaths and more than 8,000 schools, homes and businesses destroyed.

Eighteen months later, Missouri Southern University is hosting the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, and the USTFCCCA set a goal of $150,000 to donate between the Joplin School District Fund and Missouri Southern Tornado Relief Fund.

ESU's cross country programs asked for donations from their fans at each of their meets this fall and raised $677.85 to contribute to the initiative.

The Warriors' men's program qualified for the NCAA Championships at last week's Atlantic Regional and will compete at the NCAA's for the first time since 1989.