ANNVILLE, Pa. - For one night, the Lebanon Valley women’s basketball team will change its colors to pink, blue and white.
In its third season, the LVC women’s basketball team is set to dedicate their game against Elizabethtown on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. to breast cancer awareness. Also known as the annual Pink Zone game, the concept was developed by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association in 2007 and has become a huge success over the years. In 2007 120 schools participated in the initiative, and by 2009 more than 1,600 teams participated.
The team will wear special white and pink jerseys for the event, which will be auctioned off to benefit the American Cancer Society. Bidding in the silent auction will be open starting the week of Feb. 1 in the lobby of the Arnold Sports Center.
“When I arrived at LVC, I was hoping to build our basketball program with a strong sense of community service,” said head coach
Todd Goclowski. “The NCAA’s Pink Zone initiative really opened the door for us to create the game here on campus and involve all aspects of our community in the endeavor.”
The game will feature numerous prizes for fans in attendance, including the opportunity for one lucky fan to sink a half-court shot to win a 2009 Chevy Cobalt courtesy of Frederick’s Chevrolet—the Supermarket of Cars. Subway Restaurants will also give coupons to lucky fans every time an LVC player hits a three-pointer.
LVC will wear special white and pink uniforms for the game, to be auctioned off for charity
“Our women’s basketball program is most appreciative of the support we receive for the Pink Zone,” said Goclowski. “Our local business community has really stepped up to make this a special event. Every year, we have terrific prizes to give away. In addition,
Becky Firestone from the Registrar’s Office has really made a huge impact with her volunteerism for the event. She has been instrumental in building the game into the event it has become.”
Fans can also purchase raffle tickets for various prizes such as a $200 gift card to the LVC College Store. The evening will conclude with an auction of the basketball team’s special jerseys. The second annual auction will feature game worn specially designed jerseys for each of the players. Fans have the opportunity to bid on any of the jerseys in the Sports Center lobby, with the auction set to close at the conclusion of the game against Elizabethtown.
This year the team hopes to build on the success of the previous two years and make this the biggest game yet. The first year 1,310 fans attended the event, making it the all-time most attended LVC women’s basketball game, and last season 1,280 turned out.
“People should come to the game because it’s fun and great entertainment for students and families,” said Goclowski. “It’s a fun way to show support for the fight against cancer. This year, we are trying to set the attendance record and pack the house with 1,650 fans. We have come close and had amazing crowd support so far. Hopefully, our student body and surrounding community will turn out for some fun, prizes, and a great game on February 16.”
Raising money for the Lebanon chapter of the American Cancer Society is another component of the event. Over the last two seasons, the Pink Zone game has raised over $6,000. This season the team hopes to raise even more money.
“It’s a great event for everyone to get involved,” said student
Sarah Bronstein, a member of Colleges Against Cancer. “The money raised will go to a great cause – helping to support research and find a cure in the future.”
Ultimately, the event is about awareness and education—paying particular attention to breast cancer. The American Cancer Society Lebanon Chapter will be in attendance, as well as LVC’s own student organization Colleges Against Cancer. The two will team together for several tables including one for cancer survivors and the upcoming Relay for Life event in the Sports Center on March 26.