Volleyball raises $600 for breast cancer research

Amanda Booren - 10/28/2008 The San Jacinto College volleyball team donned pink jerseys in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, and raised $600 for breast cancer research, in a Dig Pink match, Friday, October 24. San Jac defeated Coastal Bend College, 3-0.

PASADENA, Texas – In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the San Jacinto College volleyball team raised $600 to support breast cancer research as part of a Dig Pink match held Friday, October 24.

Proceeds raised at the match came from donations accepted at the door, a silent auction, a portion of the sale of concessions, and a donation from the opposing team, Coastal Bend Community College. All funds raised will go directly to the Side-Out Foundation, a national 501 (c)(3) organization that sponsored the national Dig Pink rally.

The team wore pink jerseys in honor of the event, and fans filled Anders Gymnasium with pink as well. San Jac (25-2, 8-0), ranked sixth in the nation, won the game in three-straight sets, 25-11, 25-15, 25-11, but the real winners are those that the funds will benefit.

"Dig Pink was a huge success and an honor to host,” said seventh year head coach Sharon Nelson. "It is very humbling to see, first hand, the generosity and compassion that our fans have for such a great cause. Even with the difficult financial times in the U.S., and our area still recovering from Hurricane Ike, we saw so many reaching out to help one another and give, simply because they care. We appreciate everyone’s involvement and generosity in making Dig Pink a great success." Nelson intends to continue hosting a Dig Pink match in October in the future.

San Jac has three matches remaining in the regular season. They will close out the 2008 campaign on the road against Lee College on Tuesday, October 28, before coming home for sophomore night on Thursday, October 30 against Galveston College. The final regular-season match for San Jac will be at Panola College on Monday, November 3. SJC will play for its fourth-straight Region XIV conference title November 7-8 in Laredo.

For information about San Jacinto College volleyball, visit www.sanjacsports.com.