Many of Eastern’s sports teams have been wearing pink wristbands or socks in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The URC has also painted pink ribbons on the ice for their annual event, Pink in the Rink.

Soccer player Cassie Black likes that the school can unite to raise awareness for breast cancer. “We like to wear pink wristbands and socks,” she said. “It’s nice to be a part of that for the school. It’s cool when all the sports contribute.”

The soccer team did their annual Kick for the Cure on Oct. 5 in which they raised money and awareness during their 4-1 win against North Dakota. The football team also showed their support during their own game against North Dakota on Oct. 6.

“There’s a bunch of people on our team where breast cancer touches their lives in one way or another,” said wide receiver Brandon Kaufman. “It’s inspiring.” Kaufman also said that the team heard a marathon runner speak about her experience battling and winning her fight against breast cancer.

“They deserve to be recognized, and breast cancer awareness needs to be recognized,” Kaufman said. “We try to do the best we can to do that.”

Senior volleyball setter Laney Brown volunteers with the American Childhood Cancer Organization. Along with volleyball’s annual Dig Deep for Pink breast cancer awareness game, Brown and her coach Lisa Westlake also came up with another way to raise awareness.

Brown emailed all of the families that are a part of the American Childhood Cancer Organization to invite the children to an Eastern volleyball game. While attending the game, the children will get dinner, a tour of the locker room and team room, a Tshirt, a locker with their name on it and a special announcement during the game including their name and personal battle with cancer.

“We’re calling it the ‘Eagle Experience,’” Brown said.

The URC health and wellness prevention services also shows their support every October through Pink in the Rink. “It’s a four-year-old event [that] started with our office and the hockey team just to raise breast cancer awareness,” said health and wellness peer advisor Cassie Brazell.

From hockey to football and soccer, Eastern’s athletes will be showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.