Hoops 4 Hope this Sunday

Hoops For Hope, which began in 2006, was one of the first basketball events to raise money for breast cancer awareness. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund was the first womenís movement that the Womenís Basketball Coaches Association [WBCA] chose in its 28-year history.

And now, more than 1,000 teams will participate in the 2009 Pink Zone initiative to raise breast cancer awareness and attendance for the fourth annual Hoops for Hope game is expected to reach Reynolds Coliseum’s full capacity.

“It’s because only Coach Yow could be such a catalyst for this initiative and movement,” Beth Bass, CEO of the WBCA, said. “She was all about unity and bringing in her colleagues and fellow coaches to do something bigger than their own respective programs, and even bigger than womenís basketball.”

Matt Benson, a senior in industrial engineering, said coming to the Hoops for Hope game means much more than supporting womenís basketball.

“Coming to this game shows your support for the people that not only like State, but that are fighting a disease which has taken multiple legends from our University [Valvano and Yow],” Benson said. “It’s a reminder of how many people are affected by this disease.”

Bass said first time attendees can expect a powerful display.

“I have never seen survivors presented in such a powerful and intense way,” she said. “It’s one of the hundreds or even thousand foot prints Yow is going to leave on this earth.”

According to Amanda Wujcik, a junior in sport management, Sunday afternoon is going to focus the most on survivors because that is what Yow would have wanted.

“They have been through it and they have survived it and Coach Yow always wanted everyone to keep going and never give up,” Wujcik said. “We will all always remember her, but she wants us to keep going.”

While some students are unsure of what the atmosphere will be like, Benson expects it to be upbeat, despite the absence of Yow.

“It’s so moving because she was a basketball coach, but so much more,” he said. “Regardless of her status, she used it to influence and build people up around her.”

Benson, whose grandmother and aunt both had cancer, said even though Yow wonít be there, itís encouraging to see the University show the importance of whatís going on in other peopleís lives.

“Regardless of who we are playing, we can all come together, all fans, not just opponents but as people of a common cause,” he said.

Benson also said people that are attending Hoops for Hope will probably be open to giving more donations because itís such a difficult time.

“I wouldnít be surprised if the proceeds were doubled or tripled this year,” he said.

With 8,544 tickets sold and $5 of each ticket price to benefit the fund, proceeds are estimated to be at least $42,720.

Bass said the proceeds are helping survivors fight.

“Yow was in Stage 4 cancer for four years because of the drugs that were researched and introduced,” Bass said. “The proceeds are for the extension of life and quality of life for the survivors.”

The WBCA announced Wednesday that several sponsors and supporters have created collections to support the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

Nike created the Nike Kay Yow Collection, which is specially designed footwear, clothing and equipment. The items are now available at www.NikeStore.com and select Niketown locations.

In addition, Russell Athletic and Jostens are hosting contests to award participating teams who raise the most funds in the WBCA Pink Zone initiative.

Russell plans to donate 15 uniforms to the team at each division (NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, JC/CC and High School) that raises the most money. Jostens will donate a piece of jewelry from the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund Jewelry Collection to the head coach of the team at each division.

Crocs has also given thousands of pink Crocs to teams to use for giveaway and raffle purposes.