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Kara Lentz's Bio: This former co-captain of the Michigan field hockey team played on three conference championship squads and in one NCAA Final Four before graduating in 2007. Assigned to cover field hockey for the Big Ten Network she follows many other sports. Raised in sports junkie family she played seven sports competitively and earned 15 varsity letters in high school. Zap her a question in the comments area about anything played on a field or court, in a pool, or with a ball, puck or basket. |
| Oct 29 2009, 7:51 PM | Topic: Field hockey |
| Pink is power. When Michigan visited East Lansing to play Michigan State on October 25th, players on both teams sported an additional color to their school's: pink. Student athletes on both teams donned pink ribbons, pink helmets, pink socks and even pink sticks. With a disease that affects 1 in 4 woman in the US, it's important that college athletic programs use events – such as games – to promote awareness and to raise money for foundations that provide preventative screening, treatment, and health education. Along with my broadcast partner Leah Sacondo, we were elated to witness both teams wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Prior to the game, both teams wore specially designed t-shirts made by Michigan State Assistant Coach Molly Maloney – whose mother is a breast cancer survivor. On the front it read, ""Teams for Tatas. Big Ten Field Hockey Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month."" Despite being rivals and Big Ten foes, it was extremely enlightening to see these programs bond for an important cause; all competitiveness aside, it's important to realize a higher cause; most importantly, it's important to realize the launch pad that NCAA DI programs have. For example (on a much bigger scale), when the NFL honored Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, it was so impactful to see athletes wearing pink cleats, gloves, and socks. The athletes didn't make any grand speeches or performances to get the message across. The sight of that much pink was effective. It made a statement. The league recognized their ability to ""speak"" and preach from a launch pad that not many people are enabled with. Michigan State head coach Rolf van de Kerkhoff understands that. Rolf informed me of the program's goal to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – one of many foundations in the US. With the attention Sunday's match-up brought to the cause, I'm confident his program got closer to their goal. For the past 2 years, I've participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in honor of my mom, who has been breast cancer free for 5 years. I pledged to raise money for the Avon Foundation and walked 40 miles over 2 days! One of the greatest rewards I got out of the experience was fundraising. With the relationships I've cultivated with the field hockey community and student athlete community, I was able to raise almost $8,000! |
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