Play4Kay as story #8 of 2012-13
July 23, 2013

Top Ten of 2012-13 - #8 - Women's Basketball Tops Division III in Play 4Kay for 5th Straight Year with over $16,000 Raised

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College continues its countdown of the top 10 honors and moments of the 2012-13 season today with a look at our No. 8 highlight – The women’s basketball team raising more than $16,000 for Play 4Kay and leading NCAA Division III for the fifth straight year.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College continues its countdown of the top 10 honors and moments of the 2012-13 season today with a look at our No. 8 highlight – The women's basketball team raising more than $16,000 for Play 4Kay and leading NCAA Division III for the fifth straight year.

The contest is an effort to reward Play 4Kay participants who are also raising funds for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund®, in partnership with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

"Our expectations were simply to raise as much money as we could for this great cause, but more than that, create as much awareness as possible about cancer research and prevention," explained Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "Every year we try to surpass our goal from the previous year, so ultimately we wanted to overtake our 2012 total."

Moravian raised $16,210 this year, the top amount from an NCAA Division III school for a fifth consecutive year since the contest began in 2009. Moravian was also the top NCAA Division III team in 2012 with $12,025, in 2011 with $5,825 and in 2010 at $6,100.  The Greyhounds, who had a goal of $15,000 this year, had a total of $5,200 in 2009 to give Moravian a total of $45,360 raised over the last five years.

"We take pride in this distinction and want to continue to lead all Division III schools in raising money to find a cure for cancer," Spirk said.

The Greyhounds have made Play 4Kay into more than just a game on the schedule. The program puts together a week of activities leading up the contest each year. This past winter, the week started with Spirk, Assistant Coach Sara Steinman and several players going to Springfield, New Jersey for their 2nd Annual Pink Zone Clinic, which had over 120 participants and 30 volunteers and raised $3,000 to be donated to breast cancer research. The team also hosted their 2nd Annual Pink Zone clinic at Moravian on Wednesday February 6th with over 60 participants in attendance in Johnston Hall.

The week included several events on and off of campus. Some of the on campus events were a "pink office week" that encouraged staff to wear pink shirts and jeans all week for a daily donation, the "pie in the face" penny wars that professors participated in, and an intramural 3-on-3 basketball for breast cancer tournament. Heading off of campus, She Salon and Day Spa, hosted the team on Tuesday, February 5th night for manicures and pink nail painting while two nights later the coaching staff served as guest bartenders at Apollo Grill. The Greyhounds raised $800 for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund through tips and raffles.

When game day came on February 9th, Moravian hosted its annual Alumni Game to start the festivities. The Greyhounds then earned a 68-51 over Susquehanna University in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 people in Johnston Hall. The fans contributed to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund by purchasing pink merchandise, raffle tickets, and entering in halftime contests. The squad also hosted a Play 4Kay reception at Roosevelt's 21st after the game to add to their fundraising efforts. The week ended on February 10th when Freedom High School and Selinsgrove High School played a game in Johnston Hall.

"Unfortunately most everyone has been affected by cancer at some point in their life," stated Spirk. "We all know someone directly or know of someone, or even perhaps are fighting the disease personally. Our event helps to bring awareness and along with that, contribute with our monetary donation to help fight cancer and ultimately find a cure. The women's basketball team has embraced this community service year in and year out along with the entire Moravian community and beyond. We have been able to bring together many groups, towns and individuals in rallying together for a common cause."

From February 8 to February 18 2013, more than 1,500 teams and individuals donated or participated in the 2013 initiative, amplified by an event-high 24 teams receiving coverage across the ESPN® network. The organizations raising the most funding in each division were recognized at the Wow 4Yow Welcome Party on Friday, April 5, held in conjunction with the 2013 Women's Final Four and WBCA National Convention in New Orleans with Spirk, Steinman and Assistant Coach Amy Endler leading a parade to the party.

"We have a few new ideas for 2014, but will unveil them as we get closer to the date!" Spirk said. "As long as we continue to work hard to promote and energize our community, our event will be a success.

"Kay Yow said 'When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.' That is our challenge," Spirk finished.

Number seven on our countdown will be announced on Wednesday, July 24th.