FAIRFAX, Va. – For the past 10 years, The Side-Out Foundation has been teaming up with volleyball programs from across the nation to make an impact on stage IV breast cancer research through its Dig Pink® initiative.
The Side-Out Foundation and Sports Imports, the industry’s leading net system manufacturer, have partnered to recognize Side-Out’s top fundraising teams and award the programs equipment for their next Dig Pink® match.
Because of the efforts and generosity of these teams and thousands of others through Dig Pink®, the sport of volleyball is funding research that is giving those living with stage IV breast cancer more time with their loved ones. Side-Out has completed two clinical trials and is currently conducting its third clinical trial, the largest yet.
“We’re always excited for opportunities to recognize our top supporters,” said Janice Kruger, Side-Out’s Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs. “These teams represent what the sport of volleyball is accomplishing right now and the impact they have through Dig Pink is always amazing to me each year.”
In 2017, a total of 782 teams raised $1,191,760 for Side-Out’s stage IV breast cancer research, including 11 teams that raised over $10,000 each.
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 held Dig Pink® events through The Side-Out Foundation and submitted the most funds for Side-Out’s game-changing stage IV breast cancer research. In addition, these five schools are long-term supporters of Side-Out, participating in Dig Pink® for over seven years. The 2017 Sports Imports Winners are:
- Randolph High School (Randolph, MN)
- Hastings High School (Hastings, MN)
- Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (Miami, FL)
- Massapequa High School (Massapequa, NY)
- The John Cooper School (The Woodlands, TX)
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 cutting-edge research, visit side-out.org. If you would like to purchase 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 non-profit organization based in Fairfax, VA that harnesses the power of volleyball players to host Dig Pink® volleyball tournaments that raise money for critical research of late stage metastatic breast cancer – the least funded form of breast cancer scientific studies. In 2017, a total of 782 different high school, college and club teams from coast to coast contributed $1,191,760 to Side-Out’s directed clinical trials which take place at leading cancer institutions in the United States. In 2016, this grassroots campaign raised more money for the breast cancer cause than individual efforts staged by multi-billion dollar leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB or NHL. Two-time Olympic Beach Volleyball medalist April Ross, who lost her mother to breast cancer, is an advocate for the charity. Over the years, Side-Out has raised more than $14 million for research on the disease, has completed two successful clinical trials using Side-Out’s individualized treatment protocols and is currently in the midst of a third trial, its largest yet. Volleyball coaches across the country use the events as a team building experience that also reinforces the role sports can and should play in supporting athletes’ communities off the court. For details, check out https://side-out.org/.
