by Ashlyn Gerbaz
The men’s hockey team’s pink jerseys have been noticeable on campus whether if they are at the plaza or walking to class.
The reason why they are wearing pink jerseys is because the team is hosting a charity home game called “Pink the Rink,” which the proceeds will go to the St. Mary’s Cancer Survivorship program. The home game will be on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m..
In addition to the game, the team sold raffle tickets for a chance to win one of these jerseys and pink t-shirts were sold being sold all week.
“I’ll be quite honest, I’ve done virtually, I wouldn’t say nothing, but pretty much nothing,” head coach Tim Winegard said about the event. “Chase [Engdahl] and assistant captain Tony [Falcon] approached me with the idea […] I said ‘bring me the forms and I’ll sign off,’ and literally they’ve done everything.”
Winegard believes it’s Engdahl, Falcon and the team’s idea, and not something he had to persuade the players to volunteer for.
The team is estimating the total revenue for shirts, raffle tickets and the event will be about $11,000 and the team will see no portion of that money.
“The money doesn’t go to research, it goes to people who are going through the process, it’s for non-medical expenses,” Engdahl said.
Aside from the t-shirts and jersey raffle tickets, there will be more raffle tickets sold at the Pink the Rink game for a puck toss and halftime shot contest.
The team also walked in Saturday’s homecoming parade in their pink jerseys alongside the Zamboni.
They also stepped away from their fundraiser and volunteered at St. Mary’s Cancer Survivorship program’s 7th annual Survive Fashion Show, held on Oct. 15.
“We had 10 of our teammates volunteer and sell roses for the Delaney Foundation and raffles for their event,” Engdahl said.
Both Engdahl and Falcon bought raffle tickets at the event and Falcon won an all-expenses paid trip to Cancun, Mexico.
“That’s karma, because of the amount of work they’ve put into this, they deserve it,” Winegard said.
The team has had no problem finding sponsorship to help the cause. Businesses like U.S. Bank, First String Embroidery and Cannon all joined forces for the cause. US Bank also provided the pink jerseys and matching socks for the special event.
“I’m just very proud of the two of them,” Winegard said. “For university students who are busy with work, hockey, school to invest the time to put the time they have into this to make it what it is unbelievable.”
For the Pink the Rink event, the hockey team will be playing against Dordt College at the Glacier Ice Arena on Thursday, Oct. 27.
