Feb. 12, 2010
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Commodore fans are encouraged to Wear Pink to Sunday’s game with Kentucky
Valentine’s Day at Memorial Gymnasium will be no love fest between the Vanderbilt and Kentucky women’s basketball teams. Sunday’s game at Memorial Gymnasium marks a pivotal battle for positioning in the SEC standings. However, while on the court, the two rivals will join forces in support of a greater cause.
Vanderbilt is hosting a “Pink Out” at 5 p.m. on February 14, to promote breast cancer awareness. The Commodores plan to wear special pink uniforms. The visiting Wildcats will warm up in pink shooting shirts, and coaches from both sides will add pink to their attire.
“We hope that everyone will join our team by wearing pink for breast cancer awareness this weekend,” says Coach Melanie Balcomb. “Pink Out is always a wonderful event and we’re proud to again be a part of it. With two Top 25 teams playing on a national stage, I hope Commodore fans will come out in force to support their team and this worthy cause.”
The special event is part of an initiative by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. For the first time, the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing is serving as the primary sponsor. The game ball will be presented to Dean Colleen Conway-Welch, Ph.D., in honor of her 25th year of service. Joan King, Ph.D., Director of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program and a cancer survivor, will conduct a halftime radio interview on 560AM concerning her message of hope.
At halftime, breast cancer survivors are invited to gather on the court and receive commemorative pink T-shirts.
Breast cancer accounts for one in every three cancers diagnosed in women in the United States. Mortality rates began a decline in 1990, and statistics point to a continuation of this trend. However, breast cancer is still the second leading cause of all cancer-related deaths in American women (after lung cancer). In the U.S. alone, over 192,000 new invasive cases and 62,000 in situ cases were projected for 2009.
All fans are encouraged to come clad in pink. A limited number of complimentary T-shirts will be available to Vanderbilt students in attendance. Anyone wishing to make a donation may visit The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center or Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Further information on the cause and how to donate will be available at the game. Afterward, an auction on VUcommodores.com will offer a variety of merchandise, including autographed pink jerseys and basketballs. All proceeds will be donated to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.
Kentucky (21-3, 9-2) enters ranked No. 16 in this week’s ESPN/USA Today poll. The 22nd ranked Commodores (17-7, 6-5) are looking to bounce back after a tough home loss to Tennessee on Monday. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN-U.
TICKETS
McGugin Center Ticket Office
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (CST)
2601 Jess Neely DriveNashville, TN 37212
615-322-GOLD (Option 1)
Toll-free at 1-877-44-VANDY
Click Here to Purchase Online
Or visit Memorial Gymnasium on the day of the game.
Cancer Statistics courtesy of the American Cancer Society
