Tide, Vols in the ‘Pink Zone’ for tonight’s game

TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama women’s basketball fans traveling to Coleman Coliseum for today’s game may be surprised by a few new additions that will greet them at the entrance.

Several small pink pillars, spread across the entrances of the Coliseum, will flank a large neon sign with the simple words, “Think Pink.”

Once the bemused spectators make it inside to their seats overlooking the court, another unorthodox sight will be racing around on the hardwood: A legion of Crimson Tide players adorned in pale pink uniforms.

No need to adjust your television sets or wipe down your glasses. The new look is an integral part of the Tide’s participation in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Pink Zone initiative, formerly known as “Think Pink.”

Begun in 2007 as an awareness program to bring publicity to the fight against breast cancer, the WBCA Pink Zone has raised more than $2 million in donations in the past two years for awareness and research into breast cancer with the help of its 1,600 participating teams and organizations.

The initiative was spearheaded by former North Carolina State women’s basketball head coach Kay Yow upon learning in 2006 that she was facing her third recurrence of breast cancer. Before her death in January, 2009, Yow saw the initiative grow to phenomenal levels, and the money raised by the Pink Zone goes to Yow’s charity of choice, the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, in association with the V Foundation.

The program takes a deeper meaning with legendary Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt. When Summitt was named as the head coach of the 1984 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, she wasted no time in picking Yow as her top assistant.

The squad went on to claim the gold medal in Seoul, South Korea. For Summitt, the initiative is an opportunity to reflect on the fond memories of Yow and the positive influence the late coach spread through all facets of the game.

“Obviously it means a lot to me,” Summitt said. “I think so many of us that are involved with it is because of Coach Yow.”

Tonight will be a special opportunity for several Tide players and coaches. Alabama head coach Wendell Hudson has seen a number of female family members, including several aunts and his grandmother, suffer from breast cancer. Hudson’s mother found a lump that turned out to be benign, but for the Alabama coach the threat always looms and he considers himself a whole-hearted enthusiast of the initiative.

“Everybody’s been affected by it,” Hudson said. “It’s one of those things that’s affecting everybody. The awareness needs to be there, there needs to be more research, if possible, and more work that needs to be done.

“I think it’s a really good thing to be a part of.”

Junior guard Varisia Raffingtion, sidelined with a knee injury, also has personal knowledge of the horrors of the affliction. In 2006, Raffington’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“We were very worried about her, wondering whether she was going to make it or not,” Raffington said. “In the end, they were able to go in and cut it out.”

Raffington stated that the mastectomy was successful in removing the tumor, and her grandmother has begun returning to a normal life. However, she said the cause has become much more important to her because of her family experiences.

“You never think it could actually affect you personally,” Raffington said. “When it hits home, it just gives it a different meaning that’s close to your heart.”

Fans are encouraged to wear pink clothing to the game, while the Alabama athletics department will have several special giveaways at the event. Every fan will receive a free hot dog and drink, with the first 2,000 spectators to arrive earning a “Power of Pink” T-shirt, courtesy of Tuscaloosa Toyota. The auto dealer will also be providing other prizes, including 2010 Alabama football season tickets, a 50-inch flat-screen television, an iPod and gift cards.