The first annual Women’s Walk will be hosted April 17 at the University of Tampa to support UT’s female athletes and breast cancer research.
“We wanted to make it about a cause that affected all women,” said Director of the walk Nikki Jessee.
The state of Florida does not fully fund UT’s women’s athletics department, and therefore the student athletes receive less aid than could be awarded.
Basketball in particular is in need of funding, as NCAA division II allows for 10 scholarships to be granted based on athletics.
Only four and one half have been granted for the women’s basketball team.
“Basketball is a fast-paced sport where injuries happen easily. We can’t just have five all-star players and make it very far in this conference. You need a deep bench of players, and that won’t happen without scholarships for some student athletes,” said Jessee.
Jessee hopes to have the kind of success that other schools have had in the past with hosting fund-raising for athletics.
“We’ve been working on this event for five or six months now, and we’re getting a lot of support from sponsors. No one’s turned us down yet, which is great,” explained Jessee. “But we’re really in need of scholarship aid.”
Although organizers acknowledge the women’s athletics department’s need for support, they have decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer research.
“So many of our players knew someone that was affected by breast cancer; it was something we wanted to help fight,” said Jessee.
To participate in the 30 minute walk, a minimum donation of $25 is required.
Participants receive a t-shirt, a goodie bag, breakfast after the walk and raffle entry for a chance to win prizes.
There will be more chances to donate at the silent auction taking place after the walk, and a health fair in the Martinez Gym for all interested.
“We’re really hoping that this will just keep growing and growing and growing,” Jessee said. “Maybe in five or six years this event will help fully-fund our athletics.”
To raise that kind of aid, walk organizers hope that the entire UT community will become involved.
“I’ve started passing the message on to fraternities and sororities on campus,” said Jessee. “The Sigma Delta Tau sorority has already offered to participate, especially since a mother of one of their members is battling breast cancer now. It’s a cause that affects all of the campus.”
The hope is to have 800 walkers participate.
Registration forms have been sent to students in a global e-mail.
Donations can be made if you are unable to walk in the event, with a check payable to the UT women’s basketball.
For more information or registration options, contact Nikki Jessee at https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gifnikki@winwaysinc.com or visit http://www.tjhoops.com.
Cancer is the 2nd-leading cause of death in women. Heart disease is first.
Breast cancer ranks third on most-deadly cancers for women. Colorectal comes in second place and lung cancer is much more deadly than both of those, combined. In fact, lung cancer kills four times as many people as breast cancer.
“Awareness” for breast cancer is fantastic, and I hope it saves lives. Unfortunately, you can’t sexualize colorectal cancer or lung cancer or heart disease.
Save the ta-ta’s? Save the bowels!