RALEIGH, N.C. --- The Moravian College women's basketball team has been announced as the NCAA Division III winner of the 2013 Kay Yow Cancer Fund Play 4Kay Contest for the fifth time with over $16,000 raised in 2013.
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 $16,210 this year, the top amount from an NCAA Division III school. Moravian was also the top NCAA Division III team in 2012 with $12,025, in 2011 with $5,825 and in 2010 at $6,100. The Greyhounds, who had a goal of $15,000 this year, had a total of $5,200 in 2009 to give Moravian a total of $45,360 raised over the last five 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 fifth 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 $16,000.00 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 Penn State University (NCAA Division I), Belmont Abbey College (NCAA Division II), Faulkner University (NAIA), Kirkwood (Iowa) Community College (JC/CC) and Green Hope High School (High School/AAU) will be presented a piece of jewelry by Jostens from the Jostens' Kay Yow Cancer Fund Jewelry Collection as well as a plaque at the 2013 Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Convention at the NCAA Division I Final Four in New Orleans, Louisiana Monday at the WBCA Awards Show and Friday at the Wow 4Yow Welcome Party.
"2013 was a truly transformational year for the Play 4Kay initiative," said Kay Yow Cancer Fund Executive Director Sue Donohoe. "From the national coverage and prime-time matchups on ESPN to the atmosphere in each high school gymnasium, the Fund is incredibly grateful to the entire basketball community for their tireless contributions and determination to keep Yow's legacy alive."
From February 8 to February 18, more than 1,500 teams and individuals donated or participated in the 2013 initiative, amplified by an event-high 24 teams receiving coverage across the ESPN® network. The organizations, raising the most funding in each division, will be recognized at the Wow 4Yow Welcome Party on Friday, April 5, held in conjunction with the 2013 Women's Final Four and WBCA National Convention.
Moravian is the first five-time winner in the five-year history of the contest.
To donate or learn more about the Play 4Kay initiative, visit http://www.play4kay.org.
