The Missouri State men’s and women’s basketball programs will take part in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s 2008 "Think Pink" campaign during both MSU home games on Saturday, Feb. 16. Voluntary donations benefitting the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks (BCFO) will be accepted in each lobby of Hammons Student Center at the Lady Bears’ 1:05 p.m. game with UNI, as well as the Bears’ 7:35 p.m. contest against Evansville.
The Lady Bears will don pink apparel provided by Nike to commemorate the occasion and encourage fans to "Think Pink." All fans wearing pink to either Missouri State game will be able to purchase reserved bleacher seats at half price ($5.00 for the women’s game and $5.25 for the men’s contest). The BCFO will be on hand to distribute pink ribbons and rubber wrist bands, and will also provide fans the opportunity to purchase pink ribbon honoraria and memory cards that will be displayed in the lobby areas of Hammons Student Center. Basketballs autographed by the coaching staffs of both MSU basketball programs will be auctioned at each game with the proceeds going to the BCFO. Additionally, all in attendance who have been impacted by breast cancer will be recognized at both contests.
Several Missouri State corporate partners have committed to taking part in the day’s activities, including T.J. Sales, Hiland Dairy and the Missouri State Bookstore. T.J. Sales will incorporate the "Think Pink" initiative into its annual t-shirt day and will make those $5 shirts available for purchase at the women’s contest. Hiland will contribute a portion of their ice cream sales for the day to the BCFO, and the Bookstore will also be selling pink merchandise in the BearWear Shop.
The WBCA’s "Think Pink" initiative is a global, unified effort for the WBCA’s nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women’s basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. More than 800 schools have pledged support to make this year of "Think Pink" a success.
The BCFO is a local organization that keeps every dollar raised in the community to provide practical assistance to families facing breast cancer.
