Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Athletics Completes Successful Inaugural Think Pink Event
February 28, 2008 | Women's Basketball
PRINCETON ? The Princeton women's basketball and women's hockey teams each donned pink jerseys for a game over the past two weekends to contribute to nationally organized efforts in the fight against breast cancer.
Women's basketball wore pink for its Feb. 23 game against Dartmouth, which drew 1,272 fans to Jadwin Gym. The event, called “Think Pink,” was sponsored nationally by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
“Our inaugural Think Pink night was an unbelievably special experience for our entire program,” Princeton women's basketball coach Courtney Banghart said. “Our parents, players, coaches and fans are collectively so proud to be able to contribute to and participate in raising awareness for such a special cause. It was a night that everyone involved will remember for a very long time.”
Through its involvement, Princeton was able to provide a forum to raise nearly $2,500 to benefit the University Medical Center at Princeton's Breast Health Center and the YWCA of Princeton's Breast Cancer Resource Center. The funds were raised through direct donations from fans and by a silent auction of some of the special pink jerseys, the cost of which was underwritten by the financial services firm UBS. The Nassau Inn in Princeton also donated 10% of its profits from the weekend to the cause.
In addition to the silent auction, local organizations were on hand to provide information on measures to take against breast cancer. A group of breast cancer survivors sang the national anthem, and a larger group of survivors formed a ribbon on the court at halftime.
Across campus at Baker Rink, the Princeton women's hockey team took part in an initiative by the American Cancer Society and organized at the regional level by the ECAC, Princeton's hockey conference, called “Pink at the Rink.” The Tigers wore pink during their Feb. 15 game versus Harvard.