The NAIT Ooks sports teams have been showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend, swapping their blue jersey for pink t-shirts.
The Ooks women’s basketball team sported pink in their first home game of the season against the Grande Prairie College Wolves. Both players and coaches wore pink ribbons and t-shirts during the warm-up in aid of the annual event.
Ooks head coach Todd Warnick believes that the ACAC hosting Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend is important for his players on a personal level.
“A lot of the girls have some experience with [breast cancer], either within their families or people they know. Anything we can do to bring awareness to it is of incredible importance,” says coach Warnick.
The Ooks came out on top and won the game 86-34. Warnick says that the chance to support a good cause helped to motivate his side to perform against the Wolves.
“It adds a little more incentive into the game because it’s a big deal for some of the players. The other key factor was that it was our first game at home, so we also wanted to get our first home win to help our confidence.”
Fans who attended the game had the chance to win a number of prizes, including Ooks merchandise. The athletics department also raffled away a KitchenAid mixer to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Other teams at NAIT also participated. The women’s hockey team hosted “Pink in the Rink night”. Meanwhile, the women’s volleyball team hosted a 50/50 draw for their home opener.
October is internationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Canadian Cancer Society raises up to $18 million every year.
