RALEIGH, N.C. --- The Moravian College women's basketball program has been named as the NCAA Division III winner of the 2020 Kay Yow Cancer Fund Play4Kay fundraiser with $19,053 raised in 2020, the 12th consecutive year that the Greyhounds have led NCAA Division III schools in Play4Kay.
"The coaching staff and players are delighted to hear the news that we topped the NCAA Division III for the 12th consecutive year" commented Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "We are proud to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. It was extra special this year to have Connie Rogers-Newcome and her husband Tom join us for our game and reception after the game. We are fortunate to be able to have the means to raise money because of our loyal alumnus, parents, faculty, staff and fans from Moravian.
"I would also like to personally thank Sara Steinman and the Springfield Athletic Association in New Jersey who have been a huge part of our efforts over the years. Together our team and the Kay Yow fund hopes to continue to contribute to find a cure for this horrible disease," added Spirk.
Play4Kay is the grassroots fundraising initiative of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Its primary fundraising support comes from women's basketball teams across the country that dedicate an event to raise funds and awareness for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, an organization committed to funding women's cancer research and supporting projects that assist the underserved community.
"It is such an honor each year to be able to participate in the Play4Kay fundraiser," stated senior guard Karlie Brogan. "It is even more of an accomplishment to win the D3 fundraising total again. Coach Spirk takes a lot of pride in our Play4Kay Pink Out game every year and she makes sure that us players are aware of how important this fight is. On behalf of the Moravian Women's Basketball Team, we thank everyone that played a role in this year's fundraiser."
This winter, Moravian raised $19,053, the top amount from an NCAA Division III school, to give the program a total of $173,343 donated to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund over the last 12 years. The Greyhounds raised $19,480 a year ago, $19,657 during 2019 and $21,662 in 2017, and the most raised by the Hounds in a single year. Moravian was also the top NCAA Division III team in 2016 with $18,520, in 2015 with $17,038, in 2014 with $12,573, in 2013 with $16,210, in 2012 with $12,025, in 2011 with $5,825, in 2010 at $6,100 and a first-year total of $5,200 in 2009.
"Play4Kay is an organization that positively impacts the lives of those affected by cancer," said senior guard Brooke Santy. "The Moravian Women's Basketball community has raised thousands of dollars for the last 12-plus years towards Play4Kay in an effort to defeat cancer. Winning the Division III fundraising total was made possible through the efforts of the family that is the Moravian Women's Basketball community. I am so grateful and proud to be a part of it."
To view a list of all the activities that the Greyhounds held as part of their Play4Kay Week, visit https://www.moraviansports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/Play4Kay/index.
Other 2020 Play4Kay Divisional winners were the University of Oklahoma (NCAA Division I BCS), Illinois State University (NCAA Division I non-BCS), Anderson (S.C.) University (NCAA Division II), Faulkner (Ala.) University (NAIA), Dawson (Mt.) Community College (JC/CC) and Needham B. Broughton (Raleigh, N.C.) High School (National 4-12).
"Play4Kay was Coach Kay Yow's vision. She saw this initiative as a way to unite the country in support of all women battling cancer. She wanted to use her platform to give strength to others--to lift up and encourage survivors. Due to the amazing support of teams from communities big and small, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has been able to award $7.78 million on behalf of women's basketball in the fight against all women's cancers," said Stephanie Glance, CEO of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. "We are so appreciative of the ongoing support from our 2019 national winners and all of our participating schools. Funding from Play4Kay is making a difference and directly impacting the lives of others."
From February 14 to 24, teams from across the country participated in Play4Kay games and made donations to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Moravian is the only 12-time winner in the 12-year history of the contest.
Since the Fund's inception in 2007, more than $7.78 million has been allocated in support of women's cancer research and related projects.
For more information about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and its annual Play 4Kay® initiative, visit www.kayyow.com and follow #Play4Kay and #KayYow.
About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Play4Kay Campaign
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization's namesake, Kay Yow, former NC State University head women's basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on January 24, 2009. 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 ALL women's cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause. To date, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded $7.78 million in the fight against ALL women's cancers. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, or to donate, please visit www.kayyow.com.
