Jan. 26, 2012

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team will join the WBCA's "Play 4Kay" initiative by holding its fourth annual pink game on Sunday, Feb. 5, when the Wolverines host Michigan State at 3 p.m. at Crisler Center.

The Wolverines are looking to raise more than $5,000 to benefit the University of Michigan Women's Health Program and will begin several activities this week to kick off the Play 4Kay campaign.

The Wolverines will be selling a variety of pink items at the M-Den retail location on the Crisler Center concourse at Gate E. Merchandise sales will begin at the women's basketball game against Northwestern on Feb. 2, and items include t-shirts, water bottles, drawstring bags, and more. Proceeds from the pink sales will benefit the University of Michigan Women's Health Program and Cancer Center. [ Pink Zone Merchandise ]

In addition, the Michigan Sports Marketing Department will be holding a benefit at Pizza House, located at 618 Church Street, on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Pizza House will donate 15 percent of each patron's bill when the Michigan women's basketball pink game is mentioned or when the team's Play 4Kay flyer is presented. Offer is valid all day at Pizza House for dine-in, carry out, and delivery orders. [ Pizza House Benefit Flyer ]

The Wolverines will be holding the "Bounce for Women's Health" tennis ball toss following the game against Michigan State on Feb. 5. Before the game, fans will have the opportunity to purchase pink tennis balls, $2 for one ball and $5 for three balls, until halftime. At the end of the game, fans will toss their tennis balls at three targets on the court and if your ball hits the target you win a mini Michigan basketball. All proceeds from the purchase of tennis balls will also go to the University of Michigan Women's Health Program and Cancer Center.

Fans can also "Pledge for Points" by choosing a dollar amount to pledge for each point the Wolverines score during the pink game against Michigan State. The Wolverines are currently averaging 64.3 points. You will be contacted after the game with your amount due. [ Pledge for Points Form ]

To donate a set amount to the Women's Health Program and Cancer Center, please visit our online donation site.
[ Donation Site ]

The women's basketball team will wear special pink jerseys and shoes for the game. The players' shoes are among the list of items that will be auctioned off in a silent-auction held throughout the contest. The auction will open at 2 p.m. and run until 20 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Additional items to be auctioned off include: an autographed special edition pink Wilson basketball, tickets, and other memorabilia. In addition, pink ribbons, courtesy of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, and 1,000 pink pom-poms will be handed out to fans as they enter the game.

The Women's Basketball Coaches Association began "Play 4Kay," formerly known as "Pink Zone" and "Think Pink," in 2007 in memory of former North Carolina State head women's basketball coach Kay Yow as an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness in women's basketball, on campuses and in communities. In 2007, more than 120 schools unified for this effort and helped make the inaugural year a success. In 2008, more than 1,200 teams and organizations participated, reaching more than 830,000 fans and raising more than $930,000 for breast cancer awareness and research.

Marketing Contact: Whitney Tarver (734) 763-0824
Media Contact: Zena Lewis (734) 763-4423