How the Lady Lions’ Pink Zone game is an annual reminder that some things are bigger than basketball
The Bryce Jordan Center was covered in pink.
From both teams’ uniforms on the court, to pink shakers placed on the seats, to the numerous T-shirts and even down to the referee’s whistle.
Everywhere you looked in the arena, there was pink.
The color served as a constant reminder that there was something bigger than a game of basketball happening at the BJC on Sunday.
Penn State hosted Illinois in the 14th annual Play4Kay game benefiting Pink Zone, an event that helps the fight against breast cancer on the court, across campus and within communities.
Coaching in her first Play4Kay Pink Zone game at Penn State was a special moment for coach Carolyn Kieger.
“First, I want to talk about the 507 survivors that were here tonight,” Kieger said. “What an amazing event.
“A shout out to all the people that worked tirelessly to make this happen. And I know that I am inspired by it, 3,687 years that we are celebrating with 507 of them. It’s incredible.”
On the court, Penn State dropped its ninth straight game with the Lady Lions falling 70-66 to Illinois as Kieger continues the tough rebuilding process in Happy Valley.
But on Sunday the focus was on the cancer survivors.
“We had a guest coach in the locker room today, Mo Cooper and she did a phenomenal job inspiring us in the locker room,” Kieger said. “What an event to be a part of and I just think obviously it is bigger than the game and I can’t wait to grow this event and make it even bigger.”
Cooper is the wife of Penn State baseball coach Rob Cooper, whose fight with breast cancer has been well documented within the Penn State community.
It was these moments that made Sunday’s game special and one that junior guard Kamaria McDaniel will never forget.
“It brought tears to some of our eyes. Life is so much bigger than basketball and we kind of get caught up in our sport but it is so much bigger,” McDaniel said. “There are people out here fighting for their lives and it’s such an inspiration to me and I can’t really even put it into words. It just put life into perspective for me today.”
At halftime of the game on Sunday, all of the breast cancer survivors in attendance walked onto the court at halftime, representing a total survivorship time of 3,687 years, eight months and seven days.
Pink Zone at Penn State has raised more than $2.4 million over the past 13 years, including a record $310,000 in 2014.
Pink Zone is an organization that promotes cancer awareness and empowers survivors through multiple efforts throughout the year in order to raise funds used to help support vital breast cancer organizations, charities and facilities that focus on breast cancer education, research, diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
Throughout the game on the concourse, silent auctions were held to raise money while video messages continuously played on the Jumbotron sharing the stories of those impacted by cancer.
The first Pink Zone game at Penn State was in 2007, where $20,490 was raised with 31 cancer survivors in attendance. But since then the event has grown drastically.
The event has raised more than $200,000 in seven of the past eight years and has welcomed more than 400 cancer survivors annually.
The game also featured the Lady Lions wearing their alternate white and pink uniforms, while Illinois donned all pink threads for the special occasion.
In fact, Penn State was the first team to ever wear pink uniforms, wearing them in 2007 in a game against Wisconsin.
Penn State’s pink and white uniforms were auctioned off after the game, once again to raise money for Pink Zone.
The Lady Lions have been honored as the Play4Kay Division I initiative winner twice in program history, winning the award both in 2013 and 2014.
“I told a lot of people last night that I was looking forward to this day for a really long time,” Kieger said. “I’ve admired it from afar. Penn State has always done the Pink Zone and pink game right and I’m proud to be a part of it.
“I’m excited to give my best to add little nuances to make it better and keep growing it because it’s a really special night and a lot of people look forward to this day every year.”
Following the game on Sunday, the Lady Lions program hosted a social that benefited Pink Zone with all the survivors in attendance, one final reminder that some things are bigger than basketball.
“For us to be fighting on the court but them to be fighting for their lives, just unsure about everything, is something that really touched my heart and I really enjoyed this game,” McDaniel said.
