On Jan. 15, Wheaton College’s Women’s Basketball Team, ranked 22nd in the Division III poll at the time, hosted an event for Coaches vs. Cancer during their game against Smith College. The event included a raffle with a prize package that included VIP seating for the winner and a friend on the “Couch on the Court,” food prizes, Wheaton Women’s basketball gear and other neat bonuses. Money gained from ticket sales and all other proceeds went to the American Cancer Society. Other donations were permitted as well from those who weren’t able to attend the event.
It is estimated that the raffle raised approximately $110. Head Coach Melissa Hodgson said, “It was a fun day, a great game (although we lost a close game to Smith) and hopefully we raised awareness for the need of cancer research to all that attended and supported the event.”
Back in October, Janice Portlock, a representative from the American Cancer Society, came to campus and pitched the idea to have an event such like this one. Hodgson agreed to the proposal and she met with Portlock and Wheaton’s on campus Colleges Against Cancer group. The meeting allowed for the founding of this event on the campus of Wheaton College.
On Feb. 5, the team will host a game against Coast Guard, which is part of the “Play 4 Kay” campaign that resembles similar events hosted by Division 1 athletic programs. The campaign raises money to support causes established by Kay Yow, an NCAA basketball coach who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987. She created this fund with ambitions of raising money for cancer awareness and research as well as with the hopes of getting more scientists and doctors involved in helping cancer patients. Yow passed away in 2009 and since then the fund has acquired over 8 million dollars.
At the game’s halftime, the Wheaton College Athletics Department will celebrate National Girls & Women In Sports Day (NGWSD) by honoring its senior female student-athletes with a special ceremony.
The Women’s Basketball team currently boasts a strong season, with a 15-4 record overall and only one loss on the road. Yesterday, the team traveled to Emerson College and emerged in a 19-point win. The first half ended in a close game with Wheaton only up by 4 points. A second half surge had nearly 50 points as the team outscored Emerson 49-34 in the second half. Four out of five starters had double-digit points, and co-captain Abbie Brickley ’15 led the team scoring with 18 points, six boards, and give assists. Co-captain Laura Pierce ’15 had 13 points while Kiley Shoemaker ’16 had 14 points, three blocks, and nine boards. Kristen Ferrari ’15 had 10 points and four assists.
Up next for the Lyons is the “Play 4 Kay” conference game against Coast Guard.