On February 17, the 10 women's basketball programs of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) came together to play league games in support of the Play4Kay Foundation.
“We partnered with Play4Kay last season and when I spoke with the foundation and found out that there were very few DII conferences that make this a conference-wide initiative, I knew we had an opportunity to make history and do something special in the GLIAC," said Purdue Northwest head coach Courtney Locke. "None of this would happen without the support of Kris Dunbar, the ADs and coaches. You’ve never truly lived until you can do something for someone and they can never repay you and we did that as a conference.”
The goals set forth were to raise funds for life-saving cancer research, bolster under-resourced programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare and unite players, coaches, officials and fans in the fight against all cancers affecting women.
By all accounts, the event was a rousing success.
A total of $6,020 was committed to Play4Kay, with Grand Valley State and Purdue Northwest leading the way, combining to raise $2,005.
“I think the conference-wide Play-4-Kay game this year was an incredible initiative to raise awareness and support for cancer research," said Michigan Tech head coach, Sam Clayton. "It was great to see all of our teams go 'all in' to support a greater cause. It's good to remember that what we do is bigger than basketball and each person that attended or was involved in the game was reminded of that.”
As important, female cancer survivors, thrivers and warriors were celebrated at the games. When Coach Yow established the Fund, she wanted nothing more than for these warriors to be honored, lifted up, encouraged and given hope. That objective was definitely accomplished by each of the host schools.
"It reminded those of us that are grieving or fighting that we are not alone," said Morgan Cowie, a Houghton resident who stood in for her mother who passed away from breast cancer. "The awareness and money raised during this event gives us hope that a day will come when we are no longer plagued by cancer and the devastation it causes."
