CARY, N.C. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team has been announced as the NCAA Division III winner of the 2012 Kay Yow Cancer Fund Play 4Kay Contest.

The contest is an effort to reward participating teams in the Play 4Kay who are also raising funds for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund®, in partnership with The V Foundation.  Moravian raised $12,025 this year, the top amount from an NCAA Division III school.  Moravian was also the top NCAA Division III team in 2011 with $5,825 and the top squad in 2010 at $6,100.  The Greyhounds, who had a goal of $10,000 this year, were second in 2009 with a total of $5,200 to give Moravian a total of $29,150 raised over the last four years.

"The Moravian College women's basketball team, players and coaching staff, are honored to be recognized as the top Division III fundraising team for a third straight year," stated head coach Mary Beth Spirk.  "The Play 4Kay/Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a tremendous cause and we will continue to raise money and awareness so that fewer lives are lost and a cure can be found.  This year we set a goal and really worked hard to obtain it.  My assistant, Sara Steinman, worked tirelessly in organizing clinics, videos and countless promotions to take us over $12,000.00 raised.  She along with all my assistants and our players really embraced our venture to help achieve awareness and funds at Moravian College and beyond. It is a privilege to accept this award for our program, but especially for all those who continue to fight."

Coach Spirk along with the head coaches from North Carolina State University (NCAA Division I), West Chester University of Pennsylvania (NCAA Division II), Faulkner University (NAIA), Kirkwood (Iowa) Community College (JC/CC) and Walter M. Williams (N.C.) High School (High School/AAU) will be honored at the 2012 Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Convention at the NCAA Division I Final Four in Denver, Colorado on Friday, March 30 at the Wow 4Yow Reception and again on Monday, April 2 at the WBCA Awards Show.

Moravian is the first three-time winner in the four-year history of the contest.

Click here to view photos from Moravian College's 2012 Play 4Kay Game on February 4 versus Juniata College.

The adjacent video was produced by Moravian College assistant women's basketball coach Sara Steinman.

You can view Moravian College's Play 4Kay page here.

For more information on Play 4Kay, visit http://www.play4kay.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=490218 and for more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, visit http://www.kayyow.com/page.aspx?pid=329.