By Benny Rogers/TVCC Sports Information
For an eighth straight year, Trinity Valley Community College is teaming up with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer.
TVCC is participating in the WBCA’s Play 4Kay initiative, which began as “Think Pink” in 2007. TVCC has designated the Saturday, Feb. 14, game against Tyler Junior College at Cardinal Gym as its Play 4Kay event. Game time is 4 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 $7,650 to the Kay Yow Fund, according to TVCC President Dr. Glendon Forgey. He said the college’s goal this year is $8,000.
As a result of last year’s record-setting total, TVCC was named the divisional winner among community colleges and received an award at the NCAA Women’s Final Four in Nashville, Tenn.
There will be several opportunities to contribute at the Play 4Kay game. T-shirts will be available for $15 (two for $25) and there will be an auction for the following items:
- pink basketball autographed by the Lady Cardinals and coaches
- autographed authentic pink jersey by the Lady Cardinals and coaches
- 2015 Play 4Kay framed autographed Lady Cardinal basketball schedule poster (one of a kind)
- “Real Men Wear Pink” apron autographed by the Lady Cardinals and coaches
- Breast Cancer Awareness baseball cap autographed by the Lady Cardinals and coaches
- Gift basket with bejeweled Valentine teddy bear specialty bakery creation by Diane Milner
- Marilyn Monroe highlight in pink photo
- Signed athletic memorabilia
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] or Judith McGilvray at 903-675-6240 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.
The first 200 fans at the door will receive black and pink rally towels provided by Kevin Lilly’s McDonald’s. Also, fans wearing the new Play 4Kay event t-shirt will be admitted free. Cardinal Cheerleaders will throw out Pink Fan Basketballs provided by Athens Screen Printing.
For fans unable to attend the game, it will be webcast at www.tvcc.edu.