(Dec. 21, 2009) — The Bergen Community College women’s volleyball team digs pink – and we’re not talking about fashion.
In order to serve up a message of breast cancer awareness, the team is participating in the Side-Out Foundation’s near-900-college “Dig Pink” effort to raise funds in support of breast cancer research. The Side-Out Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2004 to inspire volleyball teams’ participation in breast cancer awareness initiatives, has collected more than $234,000. The Bergen Bulldogs showcased Dig Pink at the Oct. 24 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIX Division III tournament at the College’s Paramus gymnasium, which was decorated with pink balloons and streamers.
“Dig Pink shows the team’s commitment to making a difference on and off the volleyball court,” Bergen’s coach Lissette Lombana said. “We’re all on the same team when it comes to working toward beating the battle of breast cancer.”
In the Region XIX Division III round-robin tournament, the Bulldogs donned homemade Dig Pink t-shirts, accenting their pink hair ribbons, nail polish and high socks. During Bergen time outs, Lombana shared breast cancer facts with the team and led them in a “Dig Pink” cheer.
Team members also distributed breast cancer awareness flyers to those in attendance.
Passaic County Community College defeated Union County College and Bergen in the tournament, earning a spot in the NJCAA District H championship.
The Bulldogs’ Diana Rodriguez was named to the all-Region XIX tournament team in recognition of her performance in Bergen’s games.
Bergen Community College is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 17,000 students in Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degree programs and certificate programs. More than 15,000 students are enrolled in non-credit, professional courses through the Division of Continuing Education, the Institute for Learning in Retirement, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center, located at 355 Main Street, Hackensack, and Bergen at the Meadowlands, located at 1280 Wall Street West, Lyndhurst. Information about the College is available at www.bergen.edu or by phoning the Welcome Center at 201-447-7200.
