February 12, 2008

LAURINBURG, N.C.—The St. Andrews Presbyterian College women’s basketball program joins over 900 other teams in participating in the 2008 “Think Pink” initiative sponsored by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). The Lady Knights have committed to “Think Pink” week, February 8-17, by sponsoring special events during Thursday evening’s game against Conference Carolinas foe Queens University of Charlotte that tips-off at 5:30 p.m.

St. Andrews fourth year head coach David Johnson and the Lady Knights basketball team encourages all fans to wear pink to Thursday’s games against the Royals. St. Andrews will also sell white and pink t-shirts for $10 while also collecting donations that will benefit the WBCA Cancer Fund.

St. Andrews invites all breast cancer survivors to Thursday night’s doubleheader and the Knights will acknowledge all survivors in attendance at halftime of the women’s game.

The "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. The 2008 initiative has already collected over $65,000 in donations with the WBCA expecting that amount to still grow tremendously.

"The WBCA is very excited to promote an initiative that touches all levels of our membership and unifies them for such a great cause," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "It has been remarkable to watch the support of this initiative grow from 120 teams last year to over 900 teams from a variety for sports for 2008. With the help of each of our members, the women's basketball community and beyond can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer."

The St. Andrews athletics department has been battling the fight against breast cancer all year with the volleyball team and soccer teams working together to raise nearly $5,000 for the Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink for the Cure Foundation during Knights Fest 2007 (October 12-13). That weekend’s events included SAPC Passionately Pink for the Cure 5k Walk/Run (sponsored by SAPC soccer) that raised over $1,500 and the “Dig for the Cure” (sponsored by SAPC volleyball) that raised over $2,000.

Schools have chosen to participate in the “Think Pink” initiative in a variety of different ways. The extent of involvement is up to the individual institution; the importance comes in the awareness that the event creates. The Association's original goal for this year's "Think Pink" was 750 participants, which was surpassed late January.

Thus far, several WBCA partners and sponsors have chosen to get involved in the WBCA's "Think Pink" initiative. ESPN has joined the initiative by dedicating their annual "February Frenzy" and "Big Monday" women's college basketball games on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com to promoting breast cancer awareness and supporting the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund in partnership with The V Foundation. The NCAA has also joined the "Think Pink" initiative by implementing the "Calling for a Cure" campaign where all NCAA women's basketball officials will be blowing a pink whistle February 8-17. Additionally, officials are encouraged to make a donation to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

Following the 2008 "Think Pink" week, the WBCA will collect photos, press releases, t-shirts, and radio/video footage, and will tally total number of fans reached and donations collected during the initiative.