RALEIGH, N.C. --- The Moravian University women's basketball program has been named as the NCAA Division III winner of the 2023 Kay Yow Cancer Fund Play4Kay fundraiser with $18,012 raised in 2023, the 15th consecutive year that the Greyhounds have led NCAA Division III schools in Play4Kay.
"I was excited to learn the news that we continued our streak of leading Division III in fund raising efforts in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund," commented Moravian Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "For the past 15 years, the entire Moravian community which includes faculty, staff, students, alums, families have rallied around our team's annual Play4Kay game and week. While we certainly prepare all season to compete against our opponents on the court, we also are preparing for the special "Pink" week. Each year our players and coaches embrace that week, and this year was no different.
"We have also had continued support of Sara Steinman, former player and coach at Moravian, and the Springfield Athletic Association in New Jersey in organizing a clinic there," Spirk continued. "In addition, Jenn Sullivan, Sr. Director of Play4Kay, joined us for the game and reception afterwards. We are fortunate to have such great support from the Kay Yow organization. Thank you for the recognition and our hope is that we play a small role in helping to find a cure for this terrible disease."
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.
This winter, Moravian raised $18,012, the top amount from an NCAA Division III school, to give the program a total of $216,088 donated to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund over the last 15 years. The Greyhounds raised $18,050 in 2022, $6,683 in 2021, $19,053 in 2020, $19,480 in 2019, $19,657 during 2018 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.
Other 2023 Play4Kay Divisional winners were the Illinois State University (NCAA Division I BCS), Illinois State University (NCAA Division I non-BCS), Anderson University (NCAA Division II), Faulkner (Ala.) University (NAIA), Dawson (Mt.) Community College (JC/CC) and The Westminster Schools (Ga.) (National K-12).
All the award winners were honored at the Wow4Yow Appreciation event and the closing session of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's nation convention in Dallas, Texas at the Women's Basketball Final Four last weekend.
Moravian is the only 15-time winner in the 15-year history of the contest.
Since the Fund's inception in 2007, more than $8.18 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 $8.18 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.
