Long Beach State men's ice hockey team members are known for their aggressive play while competing nationally as a club sport through the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
But the players turned their December home game against USC into an opportunity to support efforts against breast cancer when they held "Pink Jersey Night" to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Although primarily a women's disease, men also can get breast cancer.
The idea for the fundraiser came to team president Ben Blankenhorn, who was familiar with National Hockey League breast cancer awareness activities. "I was paging through a jerseys catalog last year from one of our suppliers as I was ordering new jerseys for the season. I noticed that they offered pink as one of the custom colors. It then popped in my head that we could have a breast cancer awareness (BCA) night, which I had seen other professional hockey teams do.
"I was a little worried at first about the players' reaction to wearing pink on the ice," he admitted. "I was surprised to see that every one of our players was very enthusiastic about it. They all jumped in to help promote the event and post fliers around town. We even had all 30 guys walking around downtown Long Beach and Belmont Shore in the jerseys. It made for both an interesting and great promotion."
The team wore uniforms containing a large pink ribbon design-the symbol of breast cancer support-under the "LB" logo, with pink fabric insets under the sleeves and pink stripes on their socks. Fans bid on buying the players' jerseys, which the highest bidders received during a post-game ceremony.
"I would have been happy if our efforts had only raised a few hundred dollars. I was expecting $600 at the most," Blankenhorn said. "We raised over $2,700 and counting. We are still taking donations and orders for more jerseys." The American Cancer Society also provided game guests with information about breast cancer and self-examination.
The game was even more meaningful to player Colin Hurt, whose mother, Cheryl, has breast cancer.
"The night was one of the best family moments I have ever experienced," said Colin, who explained that rather than auctioning his jersey, the team allowed him to present it to her as a surprise. It was a poignant moment for everyone in the arena, he recalled.
"The crowd had a standing ovation for my mom, and then afterwards I was greeted by many of my fellow CSULB teammates, which was great as well. Overall, my mom was just simply moved by the experience and loved every second of it, and I know she will wear her pink jersey to school, Marina High School in Huntington Beach, where she teaches." "My mom has made great progress, and her doctors have said the same. It was all very emotional, and I do know my mom is going to win this battle because she is an extraordinarily strong woman," Colin said."That evening was particularly emotional for me," Cheryl Hurt said. "Receiving my very own pink jersey from my son was so touching and unexpected.
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Colin and Cheryl Hurt
I have no idea how I managed to maintain during the ceremony after the game. It's even harder when you don't have any eyelashes. The event was a total success, and I can't thank the team leaders enough for supporting Colin and me, as well as the efforts for breast cancer awareness. I look forward to next year and hope to salute the crowd with the great news about my total recovery."
Blankenhorn expects this to be the first of future team fundraisers for a variety of causes. "Yes, we will definitely do this again, but whether or not it will be an annual event or semi-annual is still undecided. We may incorporate into our schedule a fundraiser for St. Jude's Children's Hospital in which kids will get to design a jersey that will be worn and auctioned off at one of our games. I have also been talking to Kim Hollinger, who organizes several events for food allergies. However, considering the success of the BCA jerseys auction, it will be very hard not to have another one next year."
Moreover, the team began working with the Belmont Shore Lions Club to place donation boxes for sunglasses at its games to support the Lions' programs that provide vision care for low-income individuals.
"Hockey players are not always thought of as friendly characters because the game we play is so brutal," Blankenhorn said. "I have to say that hockey players are some of the most humble athletes you will ever meet. Our 49ers are no different. Sure, we are a very rowdy bunch, but we never forget our roles not only as players, but as men. The event was a success in my eyes. However, now that we have a taste of how these events work, I think next year may be even bigger. We are hoping to find a sponsor or two to help cover the cost of the jerseys, in return for logo placement on the jerseys.
"I would like to thank my guys for playing with a lot of heart this year, having great attitudes, and representing themselves as gentlemen on the ice, on campus, and in the community."
– Anne Ambrose
