Story and photo submitted by Elizabeth Blevins, Director of Communications, Shawnee State University, eblevins@shawnee.edu, 740-351-3112

The NAIA Champions of Character program models behaviors that demonstrate compassion, integrity and respect. Nowhere has such behavior been demonstrated more than during the recent Shawnee State (Ohio) University Homecoming basketball game where athletes from both Shawnee State University and competing Malone (Ohio) University came together on and off the court in support of breast cancer education, and of SSU head coach Robin Hagen-Smith who is battling the disease.

“The show of support was incredible,” SSU Athletic Director Jeff Hamilton said. “Everyone, from coaches to fans, stood in awe of the leadership shown by our student athletes.”

The basketball game was a “Pink Out” with fans wearing pink shirts that were distributed at the entrance of the game thanks to a donation from the local hospital, Southern Ohio Medical Center, and the SSU Student Programming Board. As if the sea of pink weren’t enough of a show of support, athletes from both teams wore pink socks and shoelaces and wore the pink shirts during warm-up. At the end of the women’s game, athletes from both teams, along with their coaches, held hands in a circle of prayer for women currently fighting breast cancer.

“When we organized the event, our plans went as far as asking people to wear pink during the game,” Hamilton said. “Our women’s coach was so moved by the event that she said a few words from the heart at the close of the game. Before I knew it, the student athletes – both our players and those from Malone – were coming out on the court to surround Robin. The crowd rose to their feet and just stood in silence at the site of these students rallying together like this. It’s difficult to describe what it meant to all of us.”

The Shawnee State University women’s team won the game, 107-49, but the outcome of the game seemed insignificant to both teams.

“At that moment, our athletes showed true character – and the game took on a higher purpose,” Hamilton said.