Athletes to join fight against breast cancer

HOUSTON Pink Zone, formerly known as "Think Pink," is a global, unified effort for the WBCA's nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, and in local communities. The week set aside for this year's initiative is February 13 – 22, 2009. To date, over 1,250 women's basketball teams across the country have committed to helping the cause. Participating schools range from all divisions of NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, high school and AAU play. San Jacinto College will participate in the initiative with its game against Trinity Valley Community College at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2009.

"It has been nothing short of miraculous to watch teams and organizations across the nation rally behind the fight against breast cancer through the WBCA Pink Zone initiative," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "As our coaches constantly reiterate the concept of 'teamwork' to our student-athletes, it is personified and brought to life through this initiative."

For North campus athletic director, and former SJC women's basketball head coach Shawn Silman, the cause hits close to home. Silman's mother, Judy, is a breast cancer survivor, as are two of his aunts. The disease, sadly, claimed the life of one of his grandmothers, and both of his wife's grandmothers. However, he remains passionate about the cause and was pleased to see the squad continue the initiative this season under first-year head coach Eric Taylor.

San Jac players will wear pink t-shirts during warm-up prior to the game, and the coaching staff will don pink attire. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear pink in support of the cause. The team will accept donations for breast cancer research, and 100 percent of the proceeds collected from concessions will also be donated to the cause. T-shirts will be available for purchase. The team hopes to donate all of the funds raised to a local charity.

Last year, San Jac raised over $600 for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Houston affiliate. In just its second year in 2008, the WBCA's "Think Pink" initiative reached 830,000 fans nationwide, and raised over $930,000 for breast cancer awareness and research. The initiative began in 2007 with just 120 participating schools and teams.

For more information about the WBCA or the Pink Zone initiative, visit the WBCA website at www.wbca.org.

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