October 29, 2006 - Women's Basketball / Softball (Race for the Cure)
October 29, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rider Women’s Basketball/Softball
at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
LAWRENCEVILLE—A race with no clock yet time is against you. A race where the rules change all the time. And fairness? There is nothing fair about having to run the race at all.
On Sunday, October 29, the Rider women’s basketball and softball teams, as part of the MAAC Gives Back and the Rider Athletics Partners in a Caring Community program participated in the Susan G. Komen New Jersey Race for the Cure, held at Bristol-Myers Squibb on Route 206 South in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
“I have had two relatives that have had breast cancer and have survived so this is an important event, personally and professionally,” said Rider women’s basketball head coach Tori Harrison. “Our team can come out and volunteer and keep the kids entertained while the parents participate in the race and we were excited about coming out to help such a wonderful cause. As a parent myself, the role models that the players become when interacting with the kids is something that will help them develop into young adults and make them a better person overall and not just on the basketball court.”
The softball team volunteered at the finish line of the race, giving out refreshments and greeting the runners with the women's basketball team volunteering in the children's tent, painting faces and helping run the kids races at the end of the seven hour event.
“Personally, this is an event that shows the signs and steps that are being taken to cure this disease,” said Rider women’s assistant basketball coach Sharon Gittens. “I have several friends that are survivors and I am proud of the fact that we can participate in this event. As a program, in the last 13 years, I have always looked forward to coming out and seeing the thousands of people that are supporting this event and their dedication in helping to find a cure and to be here for loved ones that they may have lost it’s an amazing event and you learn new things every year, new information about the disease and the progress that is being made to find a cure. It is a breathtaking event.”
According to the National Cancer Institute, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
“It is a great thing for the kids to be involved in,” said Rider softball head coach Tricia Carroll. “Somewhere along the line, every one of us is going to be affected by breast cancer. It is a great way to give back and support a cause that unfortunately we know is going to hit somebody.”
“Athletics in general for women it is a sisterhood – friendships that regular students don’t experience,” Carroll added. “The relationship between your teammates is so special and today is a way to get together and work together outside practice, outside the weight room, outside of class and academics. We love doing this and this has such an impact, seeing the emotion of a survivor finishing the race, it brings home the need to support events like this. It puts things in perspective. Nothing is that important. It’s a game and they are fortunate to be able to play it and develop the friendships that they do but it’s just a game. In the grand scheme of things there is a lot more in life going on. We try to get the student-athletes to experience things outside their own little world and realize early on that the things we do aren’t about them it’s about contributing positively to the community and people around them. If we have a young player come in to the program thinking they are privileged or entitled, by the end of this weekend, it’s gone and that makes them a better person overall. So it’s a great cause and an important cause but we are trying to get something back out of it as far as building a team that has stronger character and wants to contribute to others around them.”
“It is important that we, as student-athletes experience this, especially at a young age,” said Amanda Sepulveda, a freshman guard on the basketball team. “Breast cancer is something that we could suffer from down the road and the support that we are giving others and the awareness that we are getting about the disease can only help us in the future. As a team, it is important that we, as a group support others in the things they are going through.”
Now in its 13th year, the annual New Jersey race had over 18,000 participants, including over 1,000 survivors.
“For me, The Race for the Cure is a yearly reminder of the team that has supported me through my journey,” said Cathy Carter-Romero, Rider's director of publications and a 3 1/2 year breast cancer survivor. “From the Rider administrators like Karin Torchia, Debbie Stasolla and Lindsay Csogi, who are out here today supporting me, to the young women of the basketball and softball teams. In some way, they all help me stay strong. And I think it's important for the players to see that, should this ever happen to them that they can survive and thrive, together. Whether you win or lose on the court or on the field, it's really the battle for life that's the important one. And I wouldn't be winning this battle without my Rider team! Go Broncs!”
“It is important for Rider Athletics, particularly for the women to participate because this is such an awful, dreadful disease that affects women,” said Rider Associate Athletic Director and race participant Karin Torchia. “For our teams to go out and give back to a cause like this is very important. My mom is breast cancer survivor and so is my best friend as well [Cathy Carter-Romero] so it means a lot to me to run the race. It was very emotional. The wind was blowing and at times I thought I couldn’t keep going and I just thought of Cathy and my mom going through chemotherapy and radiation and worked through to finish the race.”
“When I was with Cathy step by step in her battle, I always felt horrible complaining about having a bad day because what she was battling through, every day was far more courageous and far more inspirational,” Torchia added. “You never know what can happen so for our student-athletes to be involved in the community and especially with this particular event really helps keep things in perspective. Cathy was fortunate but there are many others who didn’t survive so you really think about how good life really is and not take things for granted.”
How important is this race? More than 90% of breast cancers are now diagnosed at a localized stage, and the five-year survival rates for these cancers have risen to 97%, according to webmd.com.
“My son Cord and I have being doing this for several years now and we are doing this in support of Cathy Carter-Romero and we also had a good friend who passed away from breast cancer [Mary Kae] so we walk in memory of her,” said Debbie Stasolla, Associate Vice President at Rider. “We also have a relative who survived breast cancer and Cord solicited all of the donations so it is like a family affair.”
“I am really proud of Rider’s participation,” Stasolla added. “To know that our teams volunteer, I take a great deal of pride. Rider is a family for us so it adds that much more meaning to have Rider participate in this event. It puts things into perspective. It reminds me how much I have to be thankful for and when you do have those tough days and you think of those who are suffering with breast cancer, Cathy, I use as a real inspiration, it just reminds you that no matter how tough things may be, there are people who have things tougher. It makes you count your blessings and put things into perspective.”
Founded by Nancy Brinker in Dallas, Texas in 1982 to honor the memory of her sister, Susan Komen, who died of breast cancer at the age of 36, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has raised almost $600 million for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.“It is a special day for all of us,” said women’s basketball player Kelli Sawyer who is in her junior season at Rider. “We are all here together supporting a good cause. Two of my family members have breast cancer and it really means a lot that everyone is participating to help each other. This is the first time that I have been able to participate in something like this and the experience is truly special.”
“It’s good to get out and interact with the people battling this disease,” said sophomore Jenn Fabbi of the basketball team. “Breast cancer runs in my family so I know it’s important for everyone to come out and be supportive of this cause. It brings the team for together. We have a lot of young players and doing this activity makes us stronger both on and off the court. It’s like reality kicking in. Basketball isn’t the only thing going on in your life. You need to worry about other people, your family, friends, teammates and coaches so this definitely brings everything into perspective.”
“I love participating in this event,” said Katy Mills, a sophomore infielder on the softball team. “It is such an eye opener to see what the survivors have gone through and also the effort that everyone is making to support the event. I love volunteering and it makes me feel good to know I’m helping. Our tough days don’t even compare. If we have a tough day, we need to think about the people around us and realize what other people are going through.”
Breast cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer among American women, with more than 250,000 new cases annually.
“I think we are out here for a really good cause and it amazes me to see how many people are out here,” said sophomore Tammy Myers of the basketball team. “It means a lot to me personally because my best friend’s mother had breast cancer so being out here supporting everyone makes me feel good. As athletes, we have a tremendous responsibility to participate in the community. I’ve never experienced a team-orientated effort like this and I look forward to Rider’s continued participation in future events.”
“I think anytime you can get out into the community and give back is a positive,” said Rider Director of Athletics Don Harnum. “I think it is a great experience and puts everything into perspective. They tend to appreciate things in their life a little more after an experience like the Race for the Cure.”
“I am really proud that they [women’s basketball and softball] took their time to participate in something so valuable,” said Nancy Roberts, the Senior Woman’s Administrator and Associate Athletic Director at Rider. “I think it really speaks to the type of student-athlete we have at Rider. It really means a lot to me personally because of my involvement first as a student-athlete, coach and administrator. It means a lot that they really wanted to participate in something that is meaningful and our participation means a lot to so many involved with the event.”
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S., with over 40,000 deaths expected in the next year and an additional 1,300 cases and 400 deaths anticipated among American men.
“Anything that is for a worthwhile cause is great for our program,” said basketball assistant coach Brian Johnson. “Anything we can help out and assist for a good cause is part of our responsibility. It’s one of those things that is life. Some of the minute problems that we go through on a daily basis are really made smaller when you put it up against a life cause.”
“I really feel that anytime we have the opportunity to serve, we should embrace that,” said basketball assistant Leah Frazier Dixon. “Our team is so enthusiastic about making the kids feel good and smile and we’ve found some players with some hidden artistic talent (Monica Welborn and Janele Henderson). The fact that it was a long day hasn’t deterred anyone and everyone is in great spirits. I think they understand the purpose of service and just being able to volunteer and do something that is so selfless.”
“One of my very good friends coaches for the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA and they had a player stricken with breast cancer,” Frazier Dixon added. “She has shared some of the experiences that she went through with the team and how they rallied and the player is playing in the league again. That’s why understanding what service is about is so important. What they are going through with school and balancing athletics, it doesn’t compare to battling what a breast cancer survivor has gone through. We are developing very strong character by participating in events like this and making strong, mature young women. Winning championships is great but building strong character is just as important.”
The reality of the disease and the cause that the day was about had a significant impact on the student-athletes that participated.
“Today’s event hits home,” said sophomore Shaunice Parker of the basketball team. “You are talking about people’s mothers and daughters who suffer from this disease and it is important to support them and their families as well. The things that you get through each day, class or practice or anything else, it’s temporary. Breast cancer is something that you suffer with for the rest of your life and helping today makes you a stronger and better person because it keeps what you are doing in perspective.”
“On any given day, you think that everything in your world is getting tough and a little difficult and to come out here and see the women and men who have beat this disease and survived the most difficult of challenges, what we go through in a day doesn’t even compare,” Gittens added. “So it really helps us keep everything in perspective. Life isn’t as hard as you picture it to be. Yes, things may be hard on you temporarily but these survivors and their families have gone through some truly scary moments and weren’t sure they would be able to be out here year after year and it’s a testament to their strength to continue to battle year after year and beat this disease.”
“It was so great to see everyone helping out for this cause,” said freshman pitcher Laura Magliozzi of the softball team. “This is my first time volunteering in the community and to see the cancer survivors at the finish line was amazing. The pressures of being a student-athlete doesn’t even compare to what the survivors have gone through.”
“It’s good for our program that we can give back to the community,” said Stephanie Wisniewski who is a freshman on the basketball team. “The community has been very supportive of our program so it’s good that we can give back as well. We have this opportunity to go to school and play basketball and my mom has always taught me to give back and be involved in the community and help others. I enjoy helping other people out. My friend’s mom is a survivor and we have walked for her before so today does affect me on a personal level. Basketball is just a game and the people out here have been touched by tragedy and sickness and this is a lot bigger than the game of basketball.”
“For me today was an important team bonding experience,” said freshman center Melissa Kowalczyk of the basketball team. “And we were able to do something for the community. One of my aunts has breast cancer and I feel very strongly supporting this specific cause and I’m happy we can help.”
The Race was also a chance for Rider Athletics to meet up with former student-athletes who are still participating in the event, even after they have graduated.
“One of the neat things today was to see one of the former Rider cheerleaders, now working along side Governor Jon Corzine,” said Gittens. “Just to see her progress as a student and to see where she is now is a testament to Rider and the student-athletes that we put out in general. We are able to have the students take what they learn at the institution and utilize that, in her case, working right along side the Governor. What all of the students have been able to do, with their Rider degree and experience and what they have done shows our current student-athletes what they can accomplish in their future endeavors.”
Several other student-athletes also shared their thoughts on the event throughout the day.
“Personally, I have had a member of my extended family suffer from breast cancer,” said Maura Gillooly, a sophomore guard on the basketball team. “As student-athletes it is important that we reach out to the community and give our support to this cause. This brings us together as a team, helping to support the survivors.”
“Sometimes we take what we have for granted,” said freshman center Ilda Llamas of the basketball team. “Today makes it easier for us to realize what we have and how important it is to help others who aren’t as fortunate or who are suffering from an illness. We forget that others are struggling through obstacles that are much more difficult to overcome than what we have to deal with as student-athletes. We have a great opportunity to participate in collegiate athletics and it is good to sometimes take a step back and see what’s around you and realize what you have to appreciate it more. There is more that we can do for others instead of thinking about ourselves all the time.”
“On a personal level, as a female student-athlete, this is a good cause to give back to and be involved with,” said senior guard Kara Borel of the basketball team. “Knowing we are helping to fight for a cure is just a positive thing overall. It makes us stronger as a team to come together, paint some faces, run the races with the kids and interact with the community. Many people would love to be playing Division I athletics and we know that with that privilege, we need to give back to the community and even though it’s a long day for us, I wouldn’t trade today’s experience for anything.”
“It is a great thing to participate in this event,” said softball player Jessica Holland, who is in her junior season at Rider. “To see what the survivors, many not much older than us are going through, just to cross the finish line, it really makes you think. A tough day in our life doesn’t even compare to a tough day for anyone here today.”
“It’s great to be here and see the pink come through,” said Desiree Harbaugh, a senior on the softball team. “To see all the kids smiling, they appreciate the effort that you are making. Doing this as a team, it’s our team (Rider) helping support their team (the survivors) and it’s a great experience to do this together with your teammates. Any bad day you could be having doesn’t compare to what the survivors and their families have gone through.”
“There are worse things that can be happening if you have a bad day in class or on the court,” said freshman Ashley Anderson of the basketball team. “And today really helps all of us keep that in perspective.”
A learning experience that may have saved some lives in a race that needs to be won.
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The Rider Softball and Women's Basketball teams at the Race for the Cure on October 29, 2006
