The Side-Out Foundation announces a new partnership with the Sun Belt Conference. The alliance will allow both organizations to reach out to a larger number of college-aged women and men regarding breast cancer education and fundraising while increasing recognition of both Sun Belt Conference sports and the Side-Out Foundation’s Dig Pink^® and Rock the Pink^™ events.

The terms of this partnership will extend through the 2010 Sun Belt season and include the ability to utilize cross-promotion on each website. In addition, the Sun Belt ISP Sports Network will secure a minimum of twenty team fundraising events and will require that each school in the Sun Belt Conference host at least one Dig Pink® or Rock the Pink™ initiative. The Sun Belt Conference will also grant Side-Out access to its members in the form of public addresses and announcements. “The Sun Belt Conference is delighted to be a partner with the Side-Out Foundation,” said Sun Belt Conference Associate Commissioner for Sports Administration Kathy Keene. “The Side-Out Foundation is a leader in promoting breast cancer awareness and fundraising and our partnership will be mutually beneficial.”

Side-Out will provide the Sun Belt Conference with fundraising how-to support and advertising of member school events with the goal of driving traffic to the school athletic sites. Side-Out employees will assist Sun Belt Conference members with any informational/fundraising/promotional requests. Rick Dunetz, Founder and Executive Director of the Side-Out Foundation, said, “We are looking forward to working closely with the Sun Belt Conference. Its members possess the integrity and commitment Side-Out relies on to disseminate our message.”

The partnership with the Sun Belt Conference is the first of its kind for the Side-Out Foundation. It is hoped that the union will benefit both organizations for years to come, and in so doing, they will leave their mark in the fight against breast cancer.

About the Sun Belt Conference

The Sun Belt was formed in 1976 with six members competing in four men’s sports, and today comprises 12 institutions of higher learning while sponsoring 19 championship sports for men and women.

The Sun Belt Conference enters its 35th season in 2010-11 with a proud history of athletic and academic success. The conference sponsors 10 women’s sports (basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball) and nine men’s sports (baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track and field).

While 31 NCAA conferences sponsor multiple sports, the Sun Belt is one of only 11 to participate in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and Football Bowl Subdivision.

The Sun Belt Conference is led by Commissioner Wright Waters, who is in his 11th full year as commissioner.

Sun Belt Membership: University of Arkansas-Little Rock, Arkansas State University, University of Denver, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee State University, University of North Texas, University of South Alabama, Troy University, and Western Kentucky University.

About the Side-Out Foundation

The Side-Out Foundation (Side-Out) was established in 2004 to unite volleyball players and coaches and to have them work toward the common goal of furthering breast cancer awareness, education and patient services. Side-Out supports teams nationwide in their volleyball tournaments, clinics and other fundraising efforts. The foundation offers practical support for fundraising in addition to educational material for participants in order to help them become effective advocates for breast cancer. We contribute the funds to organizations that serve breast cancer patients, whether it be in the form of research, medical services or compassionate support.

The term side-out refers to a situation in volleyball when one team wins a point while its opponent is serving, thereby regaining serve or control of play. It is hoped that this Side-Out will do the same for breast cancer patients, providing them with the support, education and best available treatments to regain control of their lives.

For more information, contact Rick Dunetz, The Side-Out Foundation, 703.991.7639.