The Newman University Volleyball Team holds an annual pink-out game every October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year’s game will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, against the University of Texas – Permian Basin.
Before the game the Campus Activities Board will be holding a pink-out tailgate. The event, led by CAB members Brandi Boese and Miquel Swann, will provide free food to Newman students as well as free pink-out shirts for those attending the volleyball game.
Boese said that CAB tries to sponsor at least one of the pink-out games the Newman Athletic Department holds each year.
“It’s an opportunity to use our events to promote an important issue,” she said. “The tailgate is supporting a great cause and a great team at the same time. Being able to bring students together for both of those things is really rewarding.”
The pink-out tailgate starts at 6 p.m. and will be held in the Gorges Atrium. Students are encouraged to come get something to eat and a free shirt before they head to the gym for the game.
The volleyball team, who will be clad in special pink-out uniforms, also values the opportunity to hold a pink-out game each season.
Sophomore right side hitter Sarah Peterson said it’s an honor playing in the pink-out game.
“It’s an important game because we aren’t just fighting for a win, we’re fighting for the women who have breast cancer,” Peterson said. “We’re fighting for those that aren’t able to fight anymore.”
Peterson said she plans to play with one particular person in mind.
“I’ll be playing for one of my childhood friends,” she said. “Her mother passed away from breast cancer when we were young. This is my chance to honor her.”
The volleyball team set a record this season for longest win-streak, 15 games in a row, since Newman became a Division II institution.
The team, 17-6, will be playing to maintain its spot as the No. 2 team in the Heartland Conference.
