Sophomore night along with Dig Pink and a world record attempt set for October 27
Every October many athletic teams work together at something more important than winning games. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, numerous high school and college volleyball teams nationwide rally together to raise money for Breast Cancer research and awareness in an event known as Dig Pink.
Kirkwood Volleyball is one of 962 teams participating in nationwide events benefitting Breast Cancer patients and families. Money raised from the Kirkwood events will go directly to the Side-Out Foundation, a Virginia-based non-profit dedicated to cancer awareness, education and research.
In recognition of Dig Pink night, half the proceeds from the game door sales will go to Side-Out. Attendance is expected to be high as seven players will be honored for Sophomore Night, but Student Life Coordinator Seth Vander Tuig knew there had to be a way to get more people out to support this cause.
“Many people attended the Dig Pink game last year, but we want to make a bigger contribution to Side-Out this year,” he said.
Student Life and student organizations decided an attempt at a world record might spark public interest. After a long approval process from the Guinness Book of World Records, an attempt at “The most people blowing a chewing gum bubble simultaneously,” will take place following the second volleyball match of the night.
“We figured since bubble gum was pink that it would be perfect for our Dig Pink night, and it would help raise more money for Breast Cancer. With the excitement of an attempt at a world record, hopefully this event brings more people out to support this great cause,” said Vander Tuig.
There are a few rules that must be followed in order for the record to be valid. At least 250 people must participate by chewing gum for one minute then blowing a bubble keeping it intact for a minimum of 30 seconds. Any bubble that doesn’t last the full 30 seconds won’t be counted in the record attempt.
After the first match, 1,440 pieces of gum donated by Bubble Yum will be handed out to the sections of world record participants in Johnson Hall. The Kirkwood Volleyball team plans to take part in the record attempt, as the normal three minute break between games has been extended to ten minutes. Volunteers will help assist and witness the participants as they attempt the record.
The funds raised from a 50/50 raffle and direct donations, plus sales of T-shirts, pink bracelets and baked goods will also be donated to Side-Out. A bake sale will take place on October 26 in Linn Hall from 10:30 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. On October 20, an additional bake sale will be in Cedar Hall from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
All fans are encouraged to wear pink in recognition of Dig Pink night as the #16 ranked Kirkwood Eagles take on Indian Hills Community College for the final home game. The event marks the second annual Dig Pink night for Kirkwood Volleyball. The team effort in 2009 garnered around $3,000 in contributions.
More information on the national Side-Out/Dig Pink efforts is available at their website:
www.side-out.org .