Release courtesy of Rob Bentley, Associate Athletics Communications Director, Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University
Athletics Department will once again support an important
nationwide initiative sponsored by both the Women's Basketball
Coaches Association (WBCA) and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (GLIAC) by holding "Pink Wave Night" in
conjunction with FSU's league doubleheader against Wayne State this
Thursday, Feb. 17, inside Jim Wink Arena at Big Rapids, Mich.
The WBCA's "Pink Zone" initiative is a global, unified effort for
the WBCA's nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer
awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond.
More than 1,800 basketball teams and supporting organizations are
expected to participate in some way during the WBCA's "Pink Zone"
initiative in 2011.
Additionally, the GLIAC is also committed to the fight against
breast cancer by encouraging support for the "Pink Wave" campaign
throughout its member league institutions.
As part of this year's "Pink Wave" night, the FSU Athletics
Department has teamed up again locally with "Colleges Against
Cancer" and the organization will be on hand fundraising for the
cause throughout the night.
The Bulldog men's and women's basketball teams will wear special
pink shooting shirts to help support the cause during the game.
Many game officials across the nation will also be blowing a
commemorative pink whistle during the "Pink Zone" initiative.
The Bulldog men's game against the Warriors tips off at 6 p.m.
(ET) with the women's game to follow at 8 p.m. (ET). Fans are
encouraged to wear pink as well to help support the cause.
"All of us are connected to someone who is affected by cancer,"
said FSU women's basketball head coach Tracey
Dorow. "Those who are fighting (all) the stress, as well
as the mental, and physical pain associated with this disease are
very inspiring to our players. We want to support and honor these
people -- they are heroes for what they endure."
Colleges Against Cancer will have an informational table located
in the facility lobby and will also be selling custom t-shirts
throughout the night to raise funds.
Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) is a nationwide collaboration of
college students, faculty, and staff dedicated to eliminating
cancer by working to implement the programs and mission of the
American Cancer Society. Funds raised during the league
doubleheader will be used to further cancer research and help local
programs.
The WBCA began the WBCA Pink Zone™, formerly known as "Think
Pink", in 2007 as an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness in
women's basketball, on campuses and in communities. Overall, the
initiative has raised nearly $3.3 million, reached almost 2.7
million fans and united more than 4,700 participants in only four
years. More than 1,800 participants came together to surpass $1
million in donations in 2010 alone.
In addition to Thursday's twinbill against the Warriors, the
Bulldogs will also host Findlay in GLIAC play on Saturday (Feb. 19)
starting at 1 p.m. (ET) for the men and 3 p.m. (ET) for the women
with a variety of promotional activities planned in conjunction
with both games.
Tickets for both doubleheaders will be sold at the door. FSU
students are admitted free with their student identification cards.
Adult general admission tickets are $7 while FSU faculty/staff,
seniors and students grades K-12 are $5. Ferris students are
admitted free with student identification cards. For additional
information on home ticket sales, please contact the FSU Athletics
Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888.
Both doubleheaders will also have a significant impact on the
court.
The Bulldog men's team has currently won 10 consecutive games and
holds a two-game lead over rival Grand Valley State in the GLIAC
North Division standings with three games left in the
regular-season. FSU is 18-5 overall and 14-2 in league
action. Findlay and Wayne State are currently ranked first
and second, respectively, in the GLIAC South Division and both
teams join Ferris among the region's top 10-ranked schools.
Meanwhile, the the Bulldog women are currently tied for the
eighth and final spot in the GLIAC Tournament race. WSU is
only a half-game behind FSU entering the week.