This past January at the American Football Coaches Association Clinic in San Antonio, I listened to Noel Dean, the head football coach from Lowell High School in Lowell, Mich., talk about philanthropy projects.

During his talk he told us about his school’s Pink Arrow Pride which raises money for cancer research and cancer survivors. I was intrigued by this idea.

I have always tried to stress to my players the importance of giving back to the community; after all, the community supports us so well during our football season.

The Green Wave football team has already done several community service projects, yet none of this magnitude. So when I returned home, I discussed the idea of starting our own “pink” project with my players and coaching staff.

Even though the color pink is mainly associated with breast cancer, we thought it would be a good color for the kids to have fun with. This gave birth to the Pink Wave Project.

So on Sept. 7, Cathedral High School will introduce its first Pink Wave Project. The purpose of the Pink Wave Project is to raise money for Cathedral’s Relay for Life Team.  The Miss-Lou’s Relay for Life event is a great way to give back to the community.

Since 1986, Relay For Life has been helping communities all over the United States celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease. Ultimately all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

That Friday night the Green Wave will be playing Resurrection High School from Pascagoula. During the game Cathedral players will be wearing pink jerseys. Each player has chosen the name of someone they care about who has battled a form of cancer. Before the game the seniors and either the cancer survivor or a family member of the cancer victim will be introduced. The jerseys will be sold after the game.

The Green Wave cheerleaders and the Emerald Tide Dance Team will also be sporting various types of pink attire.

We are in the process of trying to secure a grand marshal for the event as well as possibly planning a walk-a-thon around the field before the game. Aside from selling the jerseys, we have several other fundraisers taking place.

Pink Wave Project wristbands are currently being sold and T-shirts can be ordered by Aug. 13 at Just 4 You (next door to Sports Center) or at Cathedral’s High School office.

The Emerald Tide Dance Team is sponsoring a girl’s used uniform jumper sale.  You may donate Cathedral School girl’s used jumpers of any size (elementary through high school). Drop them off in the high school front foyer Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

The used girl’s jumpers will be on sale in the high school from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Monday until the start of school. All uniforms will be $5.

My oldest son, Tate, is having a lemonade and cookie stand at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday in front of Just 4 You.

Monetary donations can also be made at Cathedral’s High School office. We are hoping to make this an annual event so Cathedral can be a successful supporter of cancer awareness.

Please come out and cheer the Green Wave on to a victory, and help us paint D’Evereux Stadium pink on Friday, Sept. 7!

 

Ron Rushing is the Cathedral High School football coach.