News Release 08-094-D

UCC Riverhawks women’s basketball team scoring frenzy raises $2,000 for local group

	News Release 08-094-D	For more information:
	Release date: 02/25/09	Bentley Gilbert
	For immediate release	(541) 440-7747
	http://www.umpqua.edu/ 

Winchester - The Douglas County Cancer Society will receive a check at today’s women’s Riverhawks basketball game at Umpqua Community College, thanks to the sharp scoring of the players.

Money is still being donated, but the Cancer Society should benefit to the tune of nearly $2,000. The money is being given to the Douglas County Cancer Services in behalf of the UCC women’s basketball team. Donations were made for every free throw and every three-point shot made, said Riverhawks Coach Dave Stricklin. Going into tonight’s game, the women have made 172 three-pointers and 372 free throws.

Tip-off for tonight’s women’s game is 5:30 pm at the gym on the UCC campus. The UCC women are tied for first place with Lane Community College, their opponent tonight, the last home game of the season. The men’s game follows at 7:30.

“This money is possible because of a fundraiser that our women’s team committed to all season,” said UCC athletic director Cheryl Yoder, “where donors gave money for every free throw and every three-pointer that was made this season.”

The women Riverhawks are currently 25-2, making them tied for #1 in the NWAACC (Pacific Northwest). Tonight’s game is for the NWAACC Southern Region Championship. Roseburg Oncology is donating for $1 to Douglas County Cancer Services for every three-pointer the UCC women hoopsters have made for a total of $172. The Community Cancer Center is donating $1 to Douglas County Cancer Services for every three-pointer and free throw (372) the women’s team has made for a total of $544. Dan Hearn, marketing vice president of the DCIPA and DCIPA are donating $1000.

“Our UCC women’s team has had two players, two parents and our long time ‘Team Grandmother’ who battled cancer over the past five years – four of the five survived,” said Coach Stricklin.

“This money will go a long ways in support of our patients battling cancer,” Randy Moore, D.O., radiation oncologist for the Community Cancer Center.

“Our cancer patients are facing many new challenges physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially,” he said.

“We are very fortunate to have this support for our community,” Moore said. “I personally want to thank the women basketball players for their commitment to playing the game with excellence and allowing themselves to give back to our community. Many lives will be touched because of their efforts. People living with cancer will be a little more comfortable and a little more thankful that they live in Douglas County.”

For more information, contact Coach Dave Stricklin, at 440.7737; athletic director Cheryl Yoder at 440.7729, or Bentley Gilbert, community relations director at 440.7747.