The Alabama Athletics'
4/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 2, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - When the Alabama Rowing team takes to the Black Warrior River Saturday against Oklahoma and Old Dominion, it will be the start of the Crimson Tide's spring Alabama Athletics' "Power of Pink" sponsored by Tuscaloosa Toyota week. The rowing, women's tennis and softball teams are all slated to have pink events to help raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
"It's something we haven't had a chance to do before," head rowing coach Larry Davis said. "So to be able to do it this weekend, it really gets the girls pretty psyched up. We're looking to have a good turnout and be able to represent UA well and also to do things to help promote breast cancer awareness."
The Tide's "Power of Pink" initiative is an effort to further the athletics department's mission of reaching out in a variety of ways to help people in the Tuscaloosa and West Alabama communities.
"As a department, because of the remarkable support of our fans, we have a tremendous platform to reach people," Alabama Associate Athletics Director Marie Robbins said. "Breast cancer awareness is something that several of our teams have been involved with in one way or another for several years, and as more teams expressed an interest in hosting an awareness event, we decided to develop a comprehensive plan involving all of our women's teams pulling together in this fight."
The Tide's spring Power of Pink events follows the swimming and diving, soccer and volleyball team's fall and the gymnastics and women's basketball team's winter events.
The rowing team's pink event gets underway at 10:30 a.m. There will be a multitude of giveaways including Power of Pink T-shirts and pink shakers. The Whiskey River Band will be playing throughout the morning and Big Al and Regatta the Clown will be on hand as well.
The women's tennis team will take on Mississippi State Friday, April 9 at 3 p.m. and there will be Power of Pink prizes and giveaways including headbands, tumblers, hats, umbrellas and more. Fans will also be able to register for prizes such as an Apple iPad and more. The first 100 fans will also receive a free hot dog.
"Breast cancer has become so prevalent in our society today," UA senior tennis player Bianca Svensson said. "Although my family has not been directly affected, quite a few of my close friends have had mothers and aunts who have faced this disease. I think it's great that the University of Alabama's athletic department is joining together to help fight for a cure."
The Tide softball team's pink event comes Saturday, April 10 against Northwestern. First pitch is slated for 1:30 p.m. and the first 800 fans will receive a Power of Pink T-shirt along with other giveaways. Fans will also be able to register for prizes such as an Apple iPad and more. Tuscaloosa Toyota will be holding its Drive 4 the Cause Challenge, donating $3 for each fan at the game to the DCH Breast Cancer Fund.
"We are really looking forward to doing our part in Alabama's "Power of Pink" initiative," UA softball head coach Patrick Murphy said. "We will have a couple of guests at our game who are breast cancer survivors. Their stories are an inspiration to all of us."
In addition to raising awareness in the fight against breast cancer, the Tide's "Power of Pink" initiative also supports the DCH Breast Cancer Fund which was created in 2004 in conjunction with Alabama Gymnastics' inaugural Power of Pink efforts. The fund's purpose is to promote awareness and provide educational programs on prevention and early detection of breast cancer. The fund also provides breast screenings to women in need of those services. Patients who meet the eligibility requirements will be provided assistance to pay for early detection services at the DCH Cancer Center.
Players Mentioned
