BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College Women's Basketball team hosted its annual Play 4Kay Week in February and the Greyhounds netted a seven-year high total of $17,038.24 during the week for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
As they have for the last four years, the Greyhounds began the week with Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk, Assistant Coach Sara Steinman and several players including junior guard Emily MacDonnell going to Steinman's and MacDonnell's alma mater of Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield, New Jersey for their 4th Annual Pink Zone basketball clinic on February 8. The Springfield Basketball Association, directed by Lawrence Dvorchik, along with the Springfield Pink Zone committee and Jonathan Dayton basketball teams, have partnered with the Moravian Women's Basketball program to host a clinic for youth players. The clinic raised nearly $5,000 towards Moravian's total.
The Hounds also hosted their 4th Annual Pink Zone clinic at Moravian on Thursday, February 12 with a $10 donation for each child in attendance. Throughout the week, several events took place on campus at Moravian to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. With the help of Human Resources Director Jon Conrad, the college organized a "Pink Office Week" for a third consecutive year. For $5 per day, staff members were encouraged to wear pink shirts and jeans all week.
"The Women's Basketball team is grateful for the support of the entire Moravian community, near and far," commented Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "This includes our Springfield, New Jersey friends who have become a partner in our effort to raise awareness and money to fight this horrible disease. The coaches and players have all been unfortunately affected in some way by cancer, and we are determined to assist in some small way to help in finding a cure."
The Play 4Kay Day on February 14 was another success even Moravian dropping a hard-fought 62-58 game on the court. The festivities started with the Greyhounds' annual alumni game that drew over 30 former players back to Bethlehem. During the game, fans contributed to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund by purchasing pink merchandise, raffle tickets, and entering in halftime contests. Following the game, the team, along with family, friends, and alumni, shared an evening together at Roosevelt's for the Play 4Kay reception. People also donated one dollar for each assist Moravian made during the game.
The $17,038 increases Moravian's total to $74,971 raised during the last seven years. Moravian has been the top NCAA Division III program over the last six years in the Play 4Kay contest hosted by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund with totals of $12,573 last year, $16,210 in 2013, $12,025 in 2012, $5,825 in 2011, $6,100 in 2010 and $5,200 in the first year of the program in 2009.
"Our total this year is proof that everyone wants to contribute to eradicate this disease," stated Spirk. "While it is the highest total we raised so far, we also recognize that we will continue to raise money till a cure is found. Again, we are grateful to all that donated their time, money and energy in our efforts."
Watch the Greyhounds' Thank You video below
