Sherri Fillingham 03/25/10
(Raleigh, NC) – Shaw will hold its first “Think Pink” softball game March 30 against cross-town rival Saint Augustine’s. During both games of the doubleheader the Lady Bears will wear pink jerseys in an effort to help raise awareness of breast cancer. “I’ve never heard of a softball team doing it, and I thought it was important,” said Head Softball Coach Kimberly Miller. “Anything we can do to raise awareness – not only of the fight against breast cancer, but also the things these young women can do to take control of their own breast health – is critical.”
Miller, who came up with the idea, not only bought the team its jerseys, but also chose the date against Saint Augustine’s. “It’s the rivalry game. It’s the game that the most people are interested in, so it’s the game where a statement like this will have the most impact,” Miller said.
Think Pink games have become standard for women’s basketball and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association promotes and supports Pink Zone activities throughout the nation. Shaw held its Pink Zone basketball game on February 17 against Fayetteville State.
The football team, in their game versus Fayetteville State, sported pink tape to show their support of breast cancer victims and survivors and help raise awareness.
But this is a first for softball – but not the last according to Miller. “I plan to do it each year. Breast cancer won’t be less serious next year, so our efforts can’t be any less.”
The doubleheader, which begins at 1:00 p.m., will be held at Walnut Creek Softball Complex at 1201 Sunnybrook Road. The games are free and open to the public.
PHOTO CAPTION: CIAA Offensive Softball Player of the Week Erica Lafrades and CIAA Softball Player of the Week Monica Grimmage are ready for Shaw’s “Think Pink” Softball game March 30 at 1:00 p.m.