Sports
Volleyball "digs for cure"
The Pointer
dneck184@uwsp.edu
The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point women’s volleyball team and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference have begun their second annual “Dig for the Cure” event. The event raises pledges from fans and community members to spread awareness of breast cancer. Donations will be gathered on Oct. 14 when UW-Whitewater visits UWSP.
The process begins with team members and coaches gathering pledges toward “digs,” a volleyball term referring to a player preventing the ball from touching the court after a spike or attack. People’s pledges will be based on an amount of money for each dig, or they can donate a flat amount if they choose. WIAC teams average about 20 digs per game. Last year, the WIAC raised a total of $17,347 in donations between all nine teams.
“Dig for the Cure” began in 2003 at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte as a way to raise donations for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. The national organization contributes its donations to breast cancer research. Since then, the fundraiser has caught on with conferences across the country. The WIAC’s donations will go to the Madison area’s Susan G. Komen foundation.
“I think that breast cancer affects males and females, but since we are a women’s sport it’s relevant and I think it’s a common ailment,” said head coach Stacey White. “By doing this we can help people raise awareness and help benefit the victims.” “It’s one of those causes where people will be able to promote it best with word of mouth.”
“Last year was the first year that the conference did it as a whole,” said White. “It was a newer event, but it was successful overall in raising awareness and funding, especially being the inaugural season.”
Coach White said that people can get involved by making pledges or donations, or just by attending the games and wearing pink clothing. Attendees can win prizes and get information about testing and self-examinations.
“I think everyone on the team is excited to raise money, and being the second year I think we know more about what it’s going to be like and it will be more developed and promoted,” said team captain Pamela Nora. “I have close friends who have been affected by breast cancer, and I think it touches base with our players who have had family members affected by it.”
People interested in donating and making pledges can contact UWSP volleyball players or coach White to complete the pledge form. Donations will be totaled at The Pointers’ home game against UW-Whitewater on Oct. 14.
