TVCC press release
Trinity Valley Community College is again teaming up with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer.
For a seventh straight year, TVCC is participating in the WBCA’s Play 4Kay initiative, which began as “Think Pink” in 2007. TVCC has designated the Wednesday, Feb. 19, game against Panola College at Cardinal Gym as its Play 4Kay event. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
The initiative is named in memory of former North Carolina State head women’s basketball coach Kay Yow, who died after a third recurrence of breast cancer in January 2009. The movement continues to grow and change lives, especially during February.
Yow recorded 737 victories during her coaching career while also guiding the United States Women’s Basketball team to the gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. In June 2002, Yow’s accomplishments earned her induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and in July of 2007. Yow was presented with the inaugural Jimmy V. ESPY Award for Perseverance.
To date, the fund has raised more than $7 million in support of women’s cancer research. Due its unique partnership with The V Foundation, the fund utilizes Scientific Advisory Board to ensure your donations support the cancer research projects with the most potential. Thus, grant recipients funded by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund have remarkable standing within the scientific community.
Yow felt as if coaches not only shared a profession, but a community. It is with this communal mentality that Yow, despite her humility, served as a platform to rally a nation of coaches to be a part of one team against one opponent – cancer. Her battle against breast cancer was fought in the public arena with the hope of inspiring others to be a part of a greater cause. Yow’s vision for the Fund encompasses not only her wish to fund cancer research but also her desire for coaches to enrich their lives by serving others.
Last year, thanks to the help and support of its fans, TVCC sent $5,000 to the Kay Yow Fund, according to TVCC President Dr. Glendon Forgey. He said the college’s goal this year is $7,500.
There will be several opportunities to contribute at the Play 4Kay game. T-shirts will be available for $10 and there will be an auction for the following items:
- pink basketball autographed by the Lady Cardinals and coaches
- autographed jersey by the Lady Cardinals and coaches
- 2014 Play 4Kay framed autographed Lady Cardinal basketball schedule poster (one of a kind)
- 60 x 80 Lady Cardinal breast cancer awareness throw blanket
- specialty item made by Diane Milner
Donations will also be accepted.
All fans wearing an event t-shirt to the game will be admitted free and all cancer survivors will be recognized at halftime. Cancer survivors planning to attend the game are asked to contact TVCC athletic coordinator Lucy Strom at 903-675-6359 or [email protected].
Donations will also be made to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, which is the association’s charity of choice.
Lady Cardinal basketball players and Cardinal cheerleaders will participate by wearing event t-shirts. The Lady Cardinals will wear event t-shirts during warm-ups and the cheerleaders will wear event t-shirts throughout the game.
For fans unable to attend the game, it will be webcast at www.tvcc.edu.