“Pink-out” games have become a familiar sight in the past few years, as sports teams across the nation don pink jerseys to promote breast cancer awareness.
The Lady Tiger basketball team has decided to take things a step further than a simple pink game and promote the cause year-round.
LSU has partnered up with Susan G. Komen’s Baton Rouge affiliate, along with beginning a new service plan called “Operation Impact.” Janet Dewey-Kollen, the affiliate’s director, said the plan is to support awareness and early detection and reach a broader audience than before.
With this new partnership, the Lady Tigers will participate in educational opportunities around the area, said women’s basketball coach Van Chancellor.
The team will also use social media like Facebook to promote the cause. The goal is to reach 100,000 people between now and the annual Pink Zone Game, planned for Jan. 30 against Georgia.
Senior guard Katherine Graham said breast cancer awareness is not only an important issue but also a personal one for her and her teammates. Sherie Starkey, wife of associate head coach Bob Starkey, went through treatment for the disease two years ago.
“The journey that Sherie and I began two years ago has been both difficult and inspirational,” Starkey said at a news conference Oct. 28. “Sherie’s battle with breast cancer has enabled us to cross paths with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and we have been moved to become involved with them on the personal level as well as creating a partnership with our Lady Tiger family.”
Most of the members of the team have friends or family besides Starkey who have been affected by the disease, Graham said.
“It’s affecting a lot of women these days,” Graham said.
Chancellor said the partnership with Susan G. Komen just seemed like the next natural step for the team, which has held pink games for years.
“They’re a great organization,” Chancellor said. “It just seemed like the thing to do.”
While Susan G. Komen and the pink games get a lot of attention, Chancellor said his team loves to perform community service even if their efforts go unnoticed.
“We’re very involved in the community,” Chancellor said. “Our team wants to give back.”
The Lady Tigers surprised 90-year-old Elizabeth Stevens last week by showing up at her birthday party and giving her a jersey. On their days off, they like to visit the Louisiana School for the Deaf and mentor children.
Graham said service is more than just about helping the community — she said it’s fun, too.
“I love the pink games,” Graham said.
Graham said the pink games not only promote a great cause, but the fans also seem to love it. They always seem to come out in full force wearing pink.
 
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Contact Katherine Terrell at [email protected]