HAMBURG, NY – The women’s volleyball team has been looking for ways to make differences all season long. During the month of October, which nationally is recognized as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Hawks used the Side Out Foundation to spring into action. 
“Side-Out” in volleyball occurs when one team wins a point while its opponent is serving, thereby regaining serve or control of play. Likewise in the war against breast cancer, the Side-Out Foundation will support health care professionals in their pursuit of practical solutions for women and men with this dreaded disease thus enabling those affected to regain control of their lives and living them to the fullest. The Side Out Foundation encouraged volleyball teams to choose a date in October to raise awareness and collect donations. The Hawks picked a home date when three other Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) opponents would be in the Hafner Recreation Center with the thought that a larger fan base would enable them to secure additional donations.
Each of the eleven Hawk players on the squad participated in the Dig Pink day on Saturday, October 31st wearing their home made tie-died pink jerseys when they competed against Frostburg State University and the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg in AMCC match ups. Frostburg also assisted in the heighten awareness effort by wearing their pink Nike jersey’s for their two matches played that afternoon.
The Hawks volleyball team collected $378 which will be presented to Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY rather than to the Side Out Foundation. The program would like their contribution to stay local and to help women and men in our Western New York community. Coach Amanda Logue summed up her team’s efforts well. “I am proud of my players for not only what they have accomplished this fall on the volleyball court, but for their community awareness and willingness to stand up for a cause. Cancer affects every single person at some point in their lives. Our goal was to work as a team and to make a positive impact this year. We know that through the Dig Pink day and our donation to Roswell Park, we will make a difference and hopefully the cure to this terrible disease can be discovered.” “Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported our player’s efforts this fall, on and off the court!”