 Staff Reporter _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Whether it is Major League baseball players using pink bats on Mother’s Day or NFL players wearing everything from pink wristbands to pink cleats, it seems that sports franchises and leagues around the country have decided to promote the fight against breast cancer around the world. With Atholton’s first “pink game”, the school is following in the footsteps of these much bigger athletic associations by helping to spread awareness. The idea comes from Atholton’s Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach Martie Dyer who, while coaching Hammond’s varsity field hockey team, began to do an event similar to what girls lacrosse is doing this year. “I got the idea three days before the seniors’ last home game and called on my ‘spirit wear lady’ Ms. Mary to make up pink shirts for Varsity and JV to wear in our last home game. We passed around a bucket and raised $350 for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Foundation,” said Coach Dyer. The team raised the money for the equipment needed by hosting a car wash off Route 40. The fundraiser was a huge success and raised more than one thousand dollars in funds for pink shirts, jerseys, balls, and accessories. Senior Allie Mitzner was one of the players involved in the car wash. “We had so much fun doing it,” she said. “Even though we would get very overwhelmed with the amount of cars to wash, it was still fun!” The general consensus from everyone involved is that the game will be a great success. “I think it is a great idea,” Senior Emily Bode said. “I know a lot of people who have been affected by breast cancer, and I think this game is a great way to bring awareness and funding towards the cause. I know the team as a whole feels the same way as well. It [was] a lot of fun!” Athletic director Mr. Senisi also had reasons for endorsing the event. “It really puts things into perspective for the athletes,” he said. “Many of the kids have parents or relatives who may or may not have survived it. It gives them a view of the big picture. Sports are great, but the big picture is quality of life.” It can be easy to forget with all this off-the-field activity that there is still a game to be played. The Lady Raiders faced the Centennial Eagles on May 9th for their senior game, in what was the last time the squad’s seniors played on Atholton’s home field. Between the excitement of the charity event and the competition with the Eagles, the anticipation leading up to the game was tangible. “I am so excited for the game. I have planned many senior games and none of them will compare to this one. The stadium is going to look amazing and it will make everyone happy that funds go to breast cancer awareness,” said Mitzner on the day of the event. “Centennial always has a good team and this year is the best our team has ever been. We have had a rough start with wins and losses, but we are going to surprise a lot of people at the end of the season!” Atholton looks forward to following the Lady Raider example next year. |