Office of Sports Information   
Fort Valley State University                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Fort Valley, Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, February 14, 2011
 

                                          Pretty in Pink but ready to fight against breast cancer!
 
(Fort Valley, GA) – For the third consecutive year, the Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Lady Wildcats Basketball Team will join in the fight against breast cancer by hosting its annual WBCA Pink Zone Game on Saturday, February 19 at 6 p.m. in the HPE Arena.  The Lady Wildcats will face the Lady Panthers of Clark Atlanta University in a critical conference contest.  By participating in the Women's Basketball Coach Association's (WBCA) 2011 “Pink Zone” Initiative, the Lady Wildcats Program will renew its commitment to increasing awareness about breast cancer. 

The WBCA's “Pink Zone” Initiative is a global, unified effort of the WBCA's nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness across college campuses, in communities and beyond.  “As the lives of women around the world continue to be impacted by their personal battle against breast cancer, we are pleased to show our support for their courageous efforts, said FVSU Head Coach Lonnie Bartley. 

In Saturday's game, the Lady Wildcats will show their support of the initiative by donning pink shirts, socks, and shoe laces.  In addition, game programs will be printed in pink with a special $2 price.  $1 of the price of the program will be donated to the Kay/Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Fans are encouraged to purchase the game program.  There will also be a special opportunity for fans to donate to the fund and win prizes at halftime of the men's game which follows the Pink Zone contest.

In 2007, more than 120 schools unified for this effort and helped make the inaugural year a success. In 2008, over 1,200 teams and organizations participated, reaching over 830,000 fans and raising over $930,000 for breast cancer awareness and research.

The 2009 campaign raised over $1.3 million, reached over 912,000 fans, unified more than 1,600 participating teams and organizations, and saw over 56 schools break attendance records at their event.  In 2010, over 1,800 participants came together to surpass $1,045,000 in donations and reached more than 922,000 fans across the nation. Over 22 schools broke attendance records through their participation.

Overall, the WBCA Pink Zone has raised nearly $3.3 Million, has reached almost 2.7 Million fans, and has unified over 4,700 participants in only four years.

Tickets for Pink Zone Game (women & men) are $8 for adults; $5 for military personnel with proper identification; free for children ages 5 and under; and free for FVSU students with proper identification.

For more information about the game, contact the FVSU Office of Sports Information at 478-825-6437.  For additional information about the WBCA and the Pink Zone Initiative, please visit: http://www.wbca.org/2011pinkzone/.

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