Panthers Encourage Fans To
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Feb. 11, 2008) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team will participate in the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association's (WBCA) "Think Pink" initiative when it hosts Valparaiso Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Klotsche Center. Most notably, the Panthers will wear special pink jerseys and host a number of activities aimed at raising breast cancer awareness. The day's events, which begin at 12:30 p.m. and run up until tip off at 2 p.m., are in conjunction with the WBCA's second annual "Think Pink" initiative. Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham won the special pink jerseys the Panthers will wear in a contest sponsored by the WBCA. "This is the perfect time for our team to play ball in these cool pink uniforms," Botham said. "Everyone in the house when we host Valpo will see that we're squarely behind the WBCA's national effort to fight breast cancer." The pink theme will spill over into the stands, as the first 1,000 fans will receive pink t-shirts, a giveaway sponsored by Time Warner Cable. T-shirts will be given away at points of purchase, while season ticket holders can get t-shirts at the first-floor check-in tables on Feb. 16 or at the UWM women's game on Thursday evening (Feb. 14) when the Panthers host Butler at 7 p.m. at the Klotsche Center. Fans buying tickets on game day will also get a shirt for each ticket purchase, while supplies last. Tickets for the game, including group packages, are available through the Panther Ticket Office by calling (414) 229-5886 or e-mailing uwmtix@uwm.edu. Area breast cancer survivors, their families and friends are especially encouraged to attend the Panthers game, where they can join the Panthers in a high-five line-up and survivors will be honored on the floor at halftime. Fans are invited to begin the Think Pink celebration early at a reception in the south end of the Klotsche Center. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., fans can stroll through Women's Health Fair exhibits while enjoying healthful and disease-discouraging snacks provided by Whole Foods Market, Qdoba Mexican Grill and Pepsi.
Fans can also support breast cancer awareness efforts and test out their basketball prowess in a free-throw contest from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Think Pink reception. Contestants can take a shot at the basket for $1 per attempt. Those who make a basket will win a raffle ticket. Proceeds from Think Pink will benefit women's health services provided at UWM's Norris Health Center. February 16 is also "Girl Scout Day" at the Klotsche Center. Young scouters from throughout the Milwaukee area will be special guests of the Panthers for the day's festivities. They, along with other young fans, will be invited to line up after the game to meet and get autographs from the pink-attired Panthers. The color pink will actually begin to appear on campus beginning on Monday with the opening of a Women's Health Fair in the hallway connecting the UWM Union and Bolton Hall. In addition to breast cancer awareness, the fair will cover topics like cervical cancer and National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The displays will remain on view through Wednesday before moving to the Klotsche Center on Thursday. Those visiting the fair on Thursday can also get blood pressure and body composition screenings upon request. Two brown-bag lunch presentations are planned during the week to complement the displays as well. The sessions, which are free and open to the campus, are on Wednesday at noon in Union 280 and Thursday at 12:30 in Union 240. Both focus on breast cancer awareness. Campus agencies participating in the fair include UWM's Women's Resource Center, Norris Health Center, LGBT Resource Center, Union Adventure Center, Union Recreation Center, Peer Health Advocates and the Athletics Department. These sponsoring organizations will also provide free giveaway items at the fair, along with vouchers for free pink t-shirts that are redeemable at the Panther game on Feb. 16. Several community-based agencies are also expected to provide exhibits for the fair. Additionally, the displays will remain on view throughout February on a rotating basis at these additional campus locations: Mitchell Hall, Enderis Hall and the Klotsche Center. The community can also show their heart in support of Think Pink throughout the day on Thursday by stopping for refreshments at the Qdoba Mexican Grill on the corner of Oakland Ave. and Kenwood Blvd. A percentage of all proceeds from the day's sales will be donated to the Think Pink initiative. |
