Lady Lions to 'Pack the House for Pink' Feb. 9 to support breast cancer awareness
Contact: Christina Chapple
2/1/08
HAMMOND -- The Southeastern Louisiana University women's basketball team is inviting students, area residents and fans in general to "Pack the House for Pink" Feb. 9 to promote breast cancer awareness.
The “house” is the Lady Lions’ home, the University Center, where the women will take on Southland Conference opponent Lamar at 3 p.m.
The “Pack the House for Pink” event supports both the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's "Think Pink" week and the NCAA's "Pack the House" program, explained Southeastern head women's basketball coach Lori Davis Jones.
"Breast cancer is a cause we are privileged to champion," she said. "Our program, university and community are all very committed to promoting breast cancer awareness, as it’s something that has the potential to affect all of our female student-athletes. The Feb. 9 game with Lamar will give us the special opportunity to play our part in the fight against breast cancer, while also showcasing our exciting brand of Division I women's basketball."
Jones said special features of the “Pack the House for Pink” promotion will include honoring five honorary coaches, special halftime recognition for breast cancer survivors, door prizes, and opportunities to donate to breast cancer awareness. Breast cancer survivors interested in becoming actively involved can contact Assistant Coach Brent Harris at (985) 549-5848.
The five honorary coaches, all breast cancer survivors, include members of the Southeastern family and community. They are Alice Gibson, an instructor in the Kinesiology and Health Studies Department, Southeastern student Jessica Alford, and community members Connie DiMicelli, Sandy Patterson and Eva Felder.
The Lady Lions will wear special pink uniforms and are encouraging fans to wear a pink shirt to the game. The first 500 fans to arrive at the University Center will receive a free “Pack the House for Pink” t-shirt donated by Connie’s Impressions and Entergy.
The Southeastern Student Government Association is also giving away “Think Pink” spirit towels.
Admission to the game will be $4 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. As with all Lion and Lady Lion home athletic events, Southeastern students will receive free admission by presenting a valid Southeastern ID card. High school teams can receive free admission by faxing a full roster to Harris at (985) 549-3603.
Among the door prizes to be given away, said Harris, are a gift certificate for special “Think Pink” athletic shoes donated by Perfectly Fit, a pink steak knives set donated by Alack Refrigeration, and gas gift cards from University Chevron.
Door prizes will also include pink Tomboy Tool hammers, engraved with the slogan “Help Hammer Out Breast Cancer,” donated by Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West; and “DIVA” note cards created by the women’s social group Divine Protectors of Endangered Pleasures, whose handmade, elaborately beaded Mardi Gras bustiers have been exhibited at Covington’s Brunner Gallery and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans. The group is a supporter of breast cancer awareness causes.
Additional “Pack the House for Pink” sponsors include Lamar Advertising, North Oaks Health System, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, and Entergy.
The WBCA's "Think Pink" initiative is a global, unified effort for the WBCA's nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. More than 700 schools throughout the nation have agreed to participate in the cause during "Think Pink" Week, which runs from Feb. 8-17.
The NCAA and the WBCA have also partnered for the "Pack the House" promotion with the goal of helping increase attendance for and promote collegiate women's basketball. The NCAA challenged each of its member institutions to designate one home game during the season to promote as "Pack the House" Night. The goal for each participating institution is to top the largest attendance number from the previous season. For Southeastern to reach its goal, the Lady Lions must draw more than 790 fans to the Feb. 9 contest.
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