By Mitchel Clow '13
Donning pink in support of the fight against breast cancer, the Siena College community packed the Marcelle Athletic Complex for the 13th annual Pink Zone women’s basketball game on February 15 against Rider University. The game is organized by the Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer (CRAAB!) group and Siena College and generated $30,037. Since the game has been a part of Siena’s basketball schedule, the Saints have raised over $75,000 for CRAAB!
For some who attended the game, winning their battle against breast cancer was reason enough to celebrate. Siena honored these breast cancer survivors with a pregame introduction to the crowd where they were escorted on to the court by Siena coaches and players.
Breast cancer survivor and mother of Kelly Moquin ’13, Bev Moquin, was proud to be a part of the evening’s festivities. “It was 14 years ago that I was diagnosed for the second time with breast cancer,” Bev said. “The support from my friends and family helped me fight this horrible illness.” She also spoke of how events like the Pink Zone game gave her hope that others currently suffering from breast cancer would feel as loved and cared for as she did during her battles.
Before the game, Siena Head Coach Ali Jaques spoke at a reception for those being honored that evening. “This is a tremendous cause that we love to support,” stated Jaques.
The first 500 people in attendance received a free Pink Zone shirt and pink pom poms. The national anthem and halftime featured 13-year-old singing prodigy Anthony Gargiula from Albany, N.Y. who performed his original song “Game Over” at halftime. The Saints lost to Rider University 73 – 61, but the Marcelle Athletic Complex had a much larger purpose than either team winning or losing. Raising money for a cause everyone in attendance could root for that evening.
