Feb. 4, 2008

The University of Maine is one of over 750 women's basketball teams around the country participating in the 2008 Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) "Think Pink" week, Feb. 8-17.

Maine and head coach Cindy Blodgett will host activities Saturday, Feb. 16, when the Black Bears host Stony Brook at noon in Alfond Arena. Black Bear players will be wearing pink shooting shirts and pink shoelaces against Stony Brook. Fans are encouraged to wear pink also. For those fans without pink, Bear Necessities will be offering 20 % off all pink items in store that day.

The WBCA's "Think Pink" initiative is a global, unified effort for the WBCA's nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond.

Schools have chosen to participate in a variety of different ways. Some ideas for involvement include ordering pink uniforms, inviting breast cancer survivors to the game, wearing pink shooting shirts, asking all fans to wear pink, and raffling off pink basketballs to raise money for a charity.

Representatives from Caring Connections will be on hand to distribute information and resources regarding breast cancer awareness.

"We are pleased to partner with Caring Connections to raise awareness for breast cancer resources available throughout the state of Maine at our February 16 game," said Maine associate athletic director for compliance/senior women's administrator Leslie Fields. "Women's basketball teams around the country are participating in the Think Pink program, and our team is proud to be a part of that effort."

WHEA SKATING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER

The University of Maine women's ice hockey team led by Head Coach Dan Lichterman and through the support of Bangor Savings Bank is taking an active role in the Hockey East Skating Strides program with their Feb. 16 hockey 7 PM game vs. Boston College. The Skating Strides program generates awareness for breast cancer while also generating support for the the Friends of Mel Foundation, American Cancer Society Making Strides against Breast Cancer, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

There will be a number of ways for fans to participate in this event. Leading the way is the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation. Bangor Savings has underwritten the purchase of a set of alternate jerseys for the Feb. 16 game. The team will wear these jerseys during the game while simultaneously the jerseys will be available for silent auction bid during the game. Selected jerseys will be available through Maine's GoBlackBears.com online auction.

Hockey East and TPS are providing the University special jerseys that will be worn during the warmup of the Feb. 16 game vs. Boston College. Team autographed versions of this jersey will also be available for auction at the game or online. In addition, Hockey East is providing some pink hockey sticks that will be either signed or game-used available for auction. Proceeds from all auctions will benefit the charities.

Fans attending the contest will be asked to make a donation as they enter the game. Because admission to Maine women's ice hockey games is free, all donations will benefit the charities.

Prior to the game, Orono's Sports Cafe will host a pregame party from 4:30-6:00 with a portion of their proceeds benefitting the cause.