Cougars win for a cause

Columbia College Cougar Athletic Department hosted a "Pink Out" to raise money for the Mid-Missouri Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

By Cindy Fotti, Coordinator of Athletic Information and Compliance, Columbia College

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Columbia College volleyball team celebrated a win over American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe William Woods University (Mo.) on Monday, 30-11, 30-14 and 30-27.  Columbia improved to 33-4 on the season and 12-0 in Conference play. The Owls dropped to 12-16 overall and 5-7 versus league foes. 

The team also celebrated a win for a good cause as the Cougar Athletic Department hosted a 'PINK OUT' to raise money for the Mid-Missouri Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The foundation has been around for more than 20 years and has a mission to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.

The Columbia College and William Woods Athletic Departments raised over $1,500 for the foundation through ticket sales and individual donations.  All five Columbia athletic teams, women’s volleyball, men’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball and women’s softball, were asked to sell 50 tickets per team prior to the event.

Each fan that purchased a $5 ticket received a pink t-shirt to wear during the game to help ‘PINK OUT’ the Arena or Southwell Complex.  With over 400 fans in attendance, they did just that.  The Cougar Volleyball team and coaches also wore pink uniforms and shirts to get in the spirit. The Columbia College Cougarette Dance Team even sported pink for their performance between games two and three.  Kay Lindner, treasurer for the Mid-Missouri Affiliate, also spoke between games two and three about the importance of fundraisers like the ‘PINK OUT’. 

The cougars and the owls will continue to raise funds for the foundation throughout the year by holding a ‘PINK OUT’ each time the two teams meet during the upcoming basketball and softball season. 

With the win, the Cougars clenched the AMC regular season championship.