New York, N.Y. --- Not matter what the outcome would have been in John Jay women’s volleyball’s match against Vassar College on Oct. 16, the Bloodhounds proved themselves to be winners.
Head coach, Lenore Donovan, and her 2008 roster successfully teamed up with Side Out, an organization drawn together by their love of volleyball but who also share a similar passion to be a part of the war against breast cancer.
And through Side Out, Dig Pink an event created from the foundation has been utilized by numerous colleges and high schools all across the United States this October, 2008, and John Jay was the latest to be a part of this winning team.
All season long, the John Jay women’s volleyball team sold Dig Pink t-shirts to help raise funds for the cause, and many of those fans in attendance wore those tops in unity as tonight’s crowd was the biggest it has been all season long. Others wore pink ribbons as well, but the common factor was evident, that all were aboard in the fight against breast cancer.
“Before the season the team decided to get involved in the community and fund raising,” said Donovan. “I came across Side Out and was very interested especially since it was volleyball related.”
After John Jay and Vassar College completed their routine pregame warm-ups, the festivities got underway. John Jay student C.C. Riley, a breast cancer survivor was recognized in front of the crowd to a standing ovation.
Riley was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and has been free for the past 11 years since.
After the pregame festivities, the crowd was treated to a spirited match between John Jay and Vassar.
Between the second and third match, fans were given the opportunity to take the court to compete in contests for a chance to win Dig Pink prizes.
“It was very encouraging to see the tremendous support from the students to support the volleyball team and come together for a great cause,” said Interim Director of Athletics, Dan Palumbo. “Breast cancer is a very serious disease and for so many people to come out in unity was tremendous.”
Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast in women and men. Worldwide, it is the second most common type of cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death.