FAIRFAX, Va. – Since 2008, The Side-Out Foundation has worked with over 9,000 volleyball programs to fund game-changing stage IV breast cancer research through its Dig Pink® movement. Each year, the foundation hears the stories from all over the world about communities that embrace Dig Pink and work hard to make the most of the experience.
The 2018 installment of Dig Pink featured over 750 campaigns and raised over $1.2 million. Amazed by what the volleyball community has been able to accomplish, Side-Out is partnering again with Sports Imports, the industry’s leading net system manufacturer, to honor the top fundraising teams during the 2018 Dig Pink movement as official Sports Imports Winners.
“I am grateful for all of our Dig Pink supporters for choosing to unite with the volleyball community and to tackle breast cancer together with The Side-Out Foundation,” said Janice Kruger, VP of Programs at Side-Out. “As sport success comes from teamwork, we want our supporters to feel the pride in knowing they are making a difference as we work together!”
Sports Imports Winners
As Sports Imports Winners, the top fundraising team will receive their own set of Dig Pink® safety pads, courtesy of Sports Imports. A Dig Pink® net tape will be sent to the next four top fundraising teams.
The following five schools participated in the Dig Pink® movement through The Side-Out Foundation and submitted the highest amount of funds for Side-Out’s stage IV breast cancer research. These five schools are part of the 14 teams each that raised over $10,000 in 2018. The 2018 Sports Imports Winners are:
- Randolph High School (Randolph, MN)
- Riverside High School (Leesburg, VA)
- The Oakridge School (Arlington, TX)
- Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (Miami, FL)
- Massapequa High School (Massapequa, NY)
Congratulations to the five winners and thank you for your continued support of The Side-Out Foundation!
To find out how you can support Side-Out’s stage IV breast cancer research, visit side-out.org/research. If you are in need of a new net system for the upcoming volleyball season, visit sportsimports.com!
About Sports Imports
Sports Imports, Columbus, Ohio, is the industry leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of indoor and beach volleyball equipment in the Americas. The net system trusted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, American Volleyball Coaches Association, USA Volleyball, National Federation of State High Schools Association and the choice of over 90 percent of Division I college programs, Sports Imports is owned by the same family who launched the company over 40 years ago with its famous red poles. As volleyball equipment experts, Sports Imports sets the industry standard for innovation, quality, durability and performance. The company was the first to introduce an in-ground net system without dangerous guy wires that is safe, strong, and easy to set up; its 19-pound SI-1 all-carbon volleyball pole is the best-selling pole on the market today. Sports Imports is the only supplier ever elected to the AVCA Hall of Fame. In addition, it is the exclusive partner of Senoh in the Americas.
About The Side-Out Foundation
The Side-Out Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, VA that unifies the volleyball community to drive change in the way breast cancer is treated. Support through its Dig Pink® movement raises money for critical research of late-stage metastatic breast cancer – the least funded form of breast cancer research. In 2018, over 750 campaigns worldwide contributed $1,234,327 to Side-Out’s stage IV clinical trials, taking place at leading cancer institutions in the United States. Supported by prominent members of the community, including two-time Olympic Beach Volleyball medalist April Ross, Side-Out has raised more than $14 million for research on the disease. It has completed two successful clinical trials using Side-Out’s individualized treatment protocols and is currently recruiting for its third trial, its largest yet. Volleyball coaches across the country use Side-Out’s programs as a team building experience that reinforce the role sports can and should play in supporting athletes’ communities off the court. For more details, visit side-out.org/.
