‘Pink Game’ for cancer raises almost $50K

Metro Wire Staff

The annual UWSP Pink Game this year brought in some serious cash to help benefit breast cancer care and research.

The annual fundraiser took place during the Sept. 29 football game between UW-Stevens Point and UW-Platteville, raising $48,622.00 to donate to local charities. During the game, a silent auction featured UWSP athletics memorabilia and one-of-a-kind pink jerseys, game-worn that day by the Pointers.

Thanks to a joint effort between Team Schierl, BSN Sports, the UWSP Pointers football team, and UWSP Athletics, funds are raised through limited edition Pink Game t-shirt sales and promotions on campus before the game.

The city also got in the spirit of the event, temporarily renaming Fourth Ave. to “Pink Street” for the week.

UWSP Student Government Association and Youth Area Football also helped promote the event.

“We can’t thank the community enough for another great Pink Game,” said Tim Schierl, Co-CEO of Team Schierl Companies. “Watching the fans, UWSP students, Youth Area Football families, community members and area businesses come together on a mission to fight cancer is what it’s all about; we are all impacted by cancer in some way. To see the kind of unity created at this event is humbling.”

Charities benefitting from this year’s event include The Breast Cancer Family Foundation (bcff.org); the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Marshfield; and the UWSP Colleges Against Cancer student organization.

In addition to the overall event donation of $48,622, two more donation checks were presented during post-game ceremonies. The UWSP Pointers and Team Schierl worked with visiting team UW-Platteville to coordinate a donation to the Grant County Cancer Coalition on behalf of a current player’s mother who is battling cancer. The player and his mother joined the Pointers on the field for this special presentation.

The final donation check for the American Family Children’s Hospital was presented to a UWSP Athletics alumnae in honor of her young daughter battling cancer.

“It is extraordinary how the Pink Game has become a true staple in fall traditions in Stevens Point,” said Brad Duckworth, UWSP Athletics Director. “The Pink Game is the essence of NCAA Division III athletics. Standing on the field after a hard-fought football game, arm in arm with our opponent, honoring survivors from both communities is special. Athletics is so much more than sports; the Pink Game is the symbol of all that is great in college athletics.”