Hoops for the Cure Lady Monarchs Game To Be a Valentine's Day Treat
January 22, 2015
The Old Dominion University Lady Monarch basketball team is asking you to celebrate Valentine's Day on Feb. 14 with them this year by wearing Pink and supporting the 13th annual Hoops for a Cure basketball game, in support of breast cancer awareness.
ODU will take on Conference USA foe UTEP on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center and celebrate the true champions of the day - breast cancer survivors and their families. The annual game is a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Tidewater, with partial proceeds from the contest supporting the local organization's fight against breast cancer.
Tickets for the game are $10, and if purchased from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Tidewater, or from select Old Dominion University students, $5 of that purchase goes directly to breast cancer research, treatment and support.
For the past decade, sport management students at Old Dominion University have partnered with ODU Athletics, to promote the game and the cause of breast cancer awareness. Since 2005, sport management students have raised more than $30,000 for the Komen Foundation.
""It is a wonderful way for students to learn about the sport industry, and get experience in the business side of sport, where many students hope to make a career. But it's also a way to learn about social responsibility, support a fantastic cause, and have a good time at a great basketball game, too," said Lynn Ridinger, chair of ODU's Human Movement Sciences department.
Students from two sport management classes are selling tickets this semester as a class project - undergraduate Sport Marketing, taught by assistant professor Lamar Reams, and the graduate Sport Ethics class taught by Ridinger. To purchase tickets from ODU students, either contact a student directly, or use the code CURE:SPORTS when purchasing tickets from the Constant Center box office or online at YNotttix.com.
Breast cancer survivors can receive free tickets to the contest and a special pre-game reception by contacting the Komen Tidewater office at 757-490-7794. Additional tickets for family members can be purchased from Komen as well for $10 per person. The first 1,000 fans will receive one free, pink Hoops for the Cure t-shirt and pom-pom, compliments of the official game sponsor Bon Secours In Motion Physical Therapy, Sports Performance, Fitness & Wellness. A women's health fair will kick off the day, beginning at 1 p.m. in the arena lobby.
One of the most anticipated events of the day is the pre-game survivor walk onto the court, where survivors and members of both teams embrace and congratulate the survivors. Last year's contest featured more than 100 survivors on the floor.
"This game is one of the highlights of our entire season and our team really looks forward to meeting and greeting the survivors and their families," says ODU Lady Monarch head coach Karen Barefoot. "Together with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Tidewater, we hope to help find a cure for breast cancer and look forward to a large crowd in support of this cause."
For more information about tickets to the event, call 757-683-4444.