RALEIGH, N.C. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team has been named as the NCAA Division III winner of the 2014 Kay Yow Cancer Fund Play 4Kay Contest with over $12,500 raised in 2014, the sixth straight year that the Greyhounds' program has led NCAA Division III schools in Play 4Kay.
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 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Moravian raised $12,573 this year, the top amount from an NCAA Division III school. Moravian was also the top NCAA Division III team in 2013 with $16,210, in 2012 with $12,025, in 2011 with $5,825 and in 2010 at $6,100. The Greyhounds had a total of $5,200 in 2009 to give Moravian a total of $57,933 raised over the last six 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 sixth straight year," stated Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "Each year we have embraced the challenge to raise money for this cause with the same passion and drive that we approach each opponent throughout the season. Cancer is an opponent who we want to beat. Our contribution to beating this disease will hopefully help make this happen. For my assistants and my players, along with the community here in Bethlehem and Springfield, New Jersey, 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 Penn State University (NCAA Division I), Queens (N.C.) University (NCAA Division II), Georgetown (Ky.) College (NAIA), Trinity Valley Community College (JC/CC), St. Agnes Academy-Houston, Texas (High School/AAU) and Harrells Christian Academy (North Carolina High School/AAU) will be presented a plaque at the 2014 Wow 4You Party at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Convention during the NCAA Division I Final Four.
"Throughout the entire 2014 Play 4Kay initiative, Coach Yow's vision and mission were realized as coaches, student-athletes and fans joined together in a very meaningful and powerful way to raise awareness and funds," said Kay Yow Cancer Fund Executive Director Sue Donohoe. "For the eighth consecutive year, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is so very appreciative of the passion and commitment of coaches and student-athletes from across the country to step up and Play 4Kay."
From February 7 to 17, teams from across the country participated in Play 4Kay games and made donations to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. ESPN® supported the national effort by airing seven Play 4Kay games across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU on Sunday, February 16 and Monday, February 17.
Coach Yow believed strongly that the sporting community had an incredible opportunity to use its shared sense of purpose, passion and camaraderie to support a cause much larger than the game. It was her goal, through the Play 4Kay initiative, to unite coaches, student-athletes and fans in the fight against women's cancers.
Since the inception of the Play 4Kay initiative in 2007, the program has raised more than $2.6 million in support of women's cancer research and related projects. The fundraising total for the 2014 campaign will be announced at a later date.
Moravian is the only six-time winner in the six-year history of the contest.
To donate or learn more about the Play 4Kay initiative, visit http://www.play4kay.org.
About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Play 4Kay Initiative
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women's cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause. The Play 4Kay campaign is an annual initiative that invites student-athletes, coaches and communities to participate in athletic events to raise awareness and funds for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.kayyow.com or www.play4kay.org.
About the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)
The WBCA was founded in 1981. The WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is the WBCA's charity of choice. For more information on the WBCA, please visit www.wbca.org.
About The V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has funded more than $115 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Due to generous donors, the Foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses. For more information on The V Foundation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.
