Feb. 11, 2010
For the third straight year, the UMass Lowell women’s and men’s basketball teams will take part in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) Pink Zone, a nationwide effort to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research, with Saturday’s Northeast-10 Conference games against Merrimack College (2:00/4:00).
The University is one of more than 600 colleges and universities to take part in the three-year-old initiative.
All proceeds from the game will benefit the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund as well as the Jimmy V (Jim Valvano) Foundation, named after the former North Carolina State women’s and men’s basketball coaches who lost their lives to cancer.
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under and senior citizens. Students are admitted free with valid identification.
“We’re looking to raise breast cancer awareness and to raise money for the Kay Yow WBCA Cancer Foundation,” said UML Senior Associate Director of Athletics Joan Lehoullier, who spearheads the Department of Athletics’ community service efforts.
Last year, UMass Lowell’s efforts raised more than $700 for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. “We certainly would like to exceed that on Saturday,” Lehoullier said.
Free UMass Lowell pink t-shirts will be presented to the first 50 fans. Other promotions include several giveaways throughout the game as well as halftime contests, all of which will benefit the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund and Jimmy V Foundation.
Both UMass Lowell teams don pink warm-up t-shirts for the game. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear pink in support of the WBCA’s breast cancer initiative.
The UMass Lowell women (14-8, 10-8 in the NE-10), ranked No. 10 in the latest NCAA East Region Poll, look to return to the win column following Tuesday’s 70-61 loss at Southern New Hampshire, which halted a three-game winning streak. UMass Lowell prevailed in the first meeting with the Warriors this season, 78-66, in North Andover.
The River Hawk men (15-8, 12-6 NE-10) have won three of their last four games, including Tuesday’s clash at Southern New Hampshire, 67-64, and look to avenge a 71-56 loss at Merrimack on Nov. 29.
