Over the weekend, the greatest possible tribute to the late Allentown (N.J.) field hockey star Briana Gaum was paid.

The Allentown baseball team, with her number 2 on their caps, defeated Mahwah (N.J.) 11-6 to win its first state championship in school history.

“This is more than about a baseball program, it’s about a community,” Allentown baseball coach Brian Nice said to the assembled media after the game. “After the loss we sufferred on Monday, this is about bringing a little bit of happiness to the community.”

The school is remembering Gaum by forming a scholarship fund. Checks should be made payable to “Allentown High School – Briana Gaum Scholarship” and mailed to:

Allentown High School
27 High Street
Allentown, NJ 08501
Att: Stasia Essl

But I believe honoring Gaum’s name should be more than just sending a check. You see, Briana loved horses. And I came across a segment on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel that would have broken her heart. According to the Bernard Goldberg story, up to 15 percent of thoroughbred horses are annually sold to slaugterhouses because they’re too slow to win the ever-shrinking purses in today’s racing industry.

People who try to save horses are in a financial conundrum: feed and land are incredibly expensive, but it takes as little as $500 or $600 to save a thoroughbred from being somebody’s dinner overseas. Please take a moment to follow the links that say “take action,” and do what you can.