2008 Woodie Awards
Gwinnett Gladiators raise money for Breats Cancer research
924170651@gsc.edu
Caitlin O'Dell
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: Sports
How will you show appreciation for the women in your life?
This year, for the first time ever, the Gwinnett Gladiators held Pink in the Rink.
Pink in the Rink was the Gladiators' way of bring attention to breast cancer. For the weekend of Feb. 8-10, the Gladiators played at home on pink ice. They also wore black jerseys with white and pink trim and a pink ribbon on the shoulder surrounding their numbers.
The weekend offered opportunities for companies to donate money and get publicity for the cause. Many non-profit organizations also participated. Those who took part set up tables in the lobby and areas surrounding the arena.
A lot of the fans showed their support of breast cancer research by arriving early, lining up at the doors to get in. The total in attendance was 10,020.
Pat Chapper, who has been a Gladiators fan since the team's inception five years ago, was present and decked out in pink. Her two sisters have cancer, the younger sister being terminal.
Chapper said she wasn't a hockey fan until her daughter got her into it. To see her Saturday night, one would think she had always been an avid fan. Sitting in the front row, Chapper jumped, clapped and cheered with the rest of the loyal fans.
After the Feb. 10 game, the Gladiators auctioned autographed sticks from the Pink in the Rink games on EBay. Bids started at $100 and the profits will be divided up among non-profit organizations that participated in the events.
Feb. 8 they played the Wheeling Nailers and won by a score of 3-2. Feb. 9 they played the Nailers again and won, scoring 5-3. The last night of Pink in the Rink, though, saw the Columbia Inferno beat them in overtime.
Jim Hall, Director of Community Relations for the Gladiators, said that it was great to bring recognition to something as important as breast cancer. He knows they have a lot of female fans, and that this topic sold very well to them.
Hall had hoped that the team would win all three games and have a winning streak of three games in three nights, but that did not happen. It is something the team has never done, and must try again to achieve.
This year, for the first time ever, the Gwinnett Gladiators held Pink in the Rink.
Pink in the Rink was the Gladiators' way of bring attention to breast cancer. For the weekend of Feb. 8-10, the Gladiators played at home on pink ice. They also wore black jerseys with white and pink trim and a pink ribbon on the shoulder surrounding their numbers.
The weekend offered opportunities for companies to donate money and get publicity for the cause. Many non-profit organizations also participated. Those who took part set up tables in the lobby and areas surrounding the arena.
A lot of the fans showed their support of breast cancer research by arriving early, lining up at the doors to get in. The total in attendance was 10,020.
Pat Chapper, who has been a Gladiators fan since the team's inception five years ago, was present and decked out in pink. Her two sisters have cancer, the younger sister being terminal.
Chapper said she wasn't a hockey fan until her daughter got her into it. To see her Saturday night, one would think she had always been an avid fan. Sitting in the front row, Chapper jumped, clapped and cheered with the rest of the loyal fans.
After the Feb. 10 game, the Gladiators auctioned autographed sticks from the Pink in the Rink games on EBay. Bids started at $100 and the profits will be divided up among non-profit organizations that participated in the events.
Feb. 8 they played the Wheeling Nailers and won by a score of 3-2. Feb. 9 they played the Nailers again and won, scoring 5-3. The last night of Pink in the Rink, though, saw the Columbia Inferno beat them in overtime.
Jim Hall, Director of Community Relations for the Gladiators, said that it was great to bring recognition to something as important as breast cancer. He knows they have a lot of female fans, and that this topic sold very well to them.
Hall had hoped that the team would win all three games and have a winning streak of three games in three nights, but that did not happen. It is something the team has never done, and must try again to achieve.
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