Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Coach Kay Yow (center right) receives a special presentation at the Hoops for Hope game. Artist Todd Dawes (center left) makes the presentation of his original oil painting along with Tom Adams, Division President Marketing (far left) & George Douglas , VP of Marketing, both of Time Warner Cable. |
On Sunday, February 19, 2006, Reynolds Coliseum was a beehive of activity and the dominant color of the day was pink. The event was Hoops for Hope and the cause was to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. Both goals were accomplished! More than $31,000 was raised for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, NC Triangle Affiliate from Hoops for Hope initiatives and 7781 fans, the largest crowd of the season, were in attendance to witness the message.
The Hoops for Hope event raised $25,663 between ticket sales and the silent auction held on game day. In addition, the NC State gymnastics team raised $2191 at their gymnastics meet “Flip for A Cure” (held also on Sunday, February 19). Being a team player, Maryland, the Wolfpack Women’s opponent, presented a check at half-time in the amount of $3,800 to help the cause. Total funds raised as a result of Hoops for Hope were $31,654.
A silent auction also helped raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. |
Jeanne Peck (far left) & Pam Blondin (far right) of the NC Triangle Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, accepts a check for $23,268 from Tom Adams, Division President of Marketing for Time Warner Cable (center left) & Nora Lynn Finch, Sr. Associate Athletic Director for NC State.
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The event was more than a fundraiser: 60 women who have battled breast cancer were recognized at half-time and were welcomed with a standing ovation and roar of cheers. Anyone who has battled breast cancer or has a loved one or friend battle breast cancer was touched by this game. The tone of the day was set with all the pink in the arena. Pink t-shirts were given away as well as pink tote bags, pink shoelaces, pink bracelets and pink pom poms — all free gifts to fans from the more than 15 corporate sponsors who made the event possible.
Hoops for Hope was a first for Wolfpack Sports Marketing in terms of a community focused, fundraising event and the results were amazing. “Our sponsors were thrilled to be part of this event. They are proud to be associated with not only NC State and Coach Yow, but also to be able to help support the Komen Foundation. Many have expressed an interest in supporting this event again” said WSM Business Development Associate Brenda Steen, event organizer.
This Girl Scout volunteer helps spread the “pink” cheer. |
A special survivor recognition took place at half-time . Sixty women who have survived breast cancer received a standing ovation from the crowd. |
MIX 101.5 joined efforts with Wolfpack Sports Marketing to help promote Hoops for Hope. Bill Jordan from MIX 101.5 FM was the halftime emcee and added a warm, friendly voice to the event. According to Steen, “Bill has a way of speaking to the heart, his voice carries and so many of his listeners are our fans. We were very lucky to have Bill join us for this memorable event.”
Todd Dawes, an acclaimed artist from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, painted an original oil painting during the game while fans watched in awe. Representatives from Time Warner Cable, the title sponsor of Hoops for Hope, presented the painting to an emotional and very touched, Coach Yow as fans stood and cheered for the Coach they have watched publicly battle breast cancer for the second time.
Hoops for Hope took place around a regularly scheduled women’s basketball game, but this was more than a typical college women’s basketball game. This was a very successful, emotional and memorable day for NC State, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer survivors and their families and Wolfpack Sports Marketing. With so much success, the obvious question is “Will this become an annual event?” Stay tuned…
Thanks to WSM’s Brenda Steen for this capcom story & these capcom photos.
