Essex County College Athletic Department Cancer Awareness Event "Play4Kay" set for February 17
Newark, NJ - The Essex County College Athletic Department will host the Play4Kay cancer awareness event on Tuesday, February 17, as the Wolverines welcome Lackawanna College for their final home games of the regular season.
The special event is part of a national initiative connected to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which was selected last year as the NJCAA's charity of choice. The evening will bring together student-athletes, coaches, and the college community to raise awareness and support for cancer research impacting women across the country.
What is Play4Kay?
The vision for Play4Kay came directly from legendary North Carolina State University women's basketball coach Sandra Kay Yow. A historic icon in collegiate athletics, Coach Yow built one of the most respected programs in the nation during her 38-year head coaching career.
Yow became one of only six Division I women's basketball head coaches to achieve 700 career victories. She led her teams to 20 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 11 Sweet 16 berths, an Elite Eight appearance, and a Final Four appearance in 1998. She was also selected as one of just nine Olympic coaches to lead USA Basketball in pursuit of Olympic gold. Additionally, Yow became only the third women's Division I coach to coach 1,000 games at one institution. Her extraordinary contributions to the sport earned her induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
In 1987, at the height of her coaching career, Yow was diagnosed with breast cancer. She battled the disease courageously for 22 years while continuing to coach and inspire young women with unwavering professionalism and grace. Though many knew of her diagnosis, those closest to her remember the strength and determination with which she carried out her mission.
Before her passing in 2009, Yow began exploring ways to combine her love for basketball with her desire to help others facing cancer. That vision led to the creation of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in 2007.
Since its inception, the Fund has awarded $9.5 million in scientific research grants and programs that serve underserved communities in the fight against all cancers affecting women.
ECC Proud to Support the Cause
Essex County College Athletics is proud to join the Play4Kay movement and support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund while spreading awareness throughout the ECC community.
Fans are encouraged to attend Tuesday's games and show their support by wearing pink attire. Those unable to attend can still make a donation to the Play4Kay Cancer Fund and contribute to the ongoing fight against cancer. For more information about the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, please visit their official website. Home - Kay Yow Cancer Fund
The February 17 event promises to be a meaningful evening of basketball, community, and purpose as the Wolverines close out their regular season at home while playing for something bigger than the game.
#PLAY4KAY