D'YOUVILLE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL HELPS FIGHT BREAST CANCER WITH DIG PINK GAME

On Saturday, October 29, the D’Youville College women’s volleyball team helped bring support and awareness to a worthy cause in their Dig Pink Game for breast cancer awareness.

The women’s volleyball team sold “Dig Pink” t-shirts for $10, as well as held basket raffles, at their final home game of the season against Franciscan University. All of the proceeds went to the Side-Out Foundation, the founder of Dig Pink matches.

“We are honored we could do our small part in helping battle breast cancer,” said head coach Stephanie Kazmierczak. “We were happy we can donate to a great organization like Side-Out.”

Side-Out is foundation created by Rick Dunetz, a high school volleyball coach who had his own interaction with cancer. Upon taking over as head coach at West Springfield High School, he shared with his team that his mother Gloria had breast cancer. The story shared with his team about his mother inspired his team to the district championship, which they won. It was the first time in school history the team had done so and it was deemed the “miracle season.” Gloria passed away in August of 2010. Dunetz’s story and team’s performance helped create the Side-Out Foundation. Their goal is to bring energy and education to people about breast cancer and help support the cause.