Women's Basketball Goes Pink

Just two weeks shy of their inaugural season, women’s basketball at CSUSM took their moves off the court on Sunday, Oct. 16 to join more than 30,000 others in raising awareness and money to fight breast cancer – a cause that is near and dear to nearly every student athlete on the team.“Our participation is a sign of support for so many women that battle this disease every year,” said forward Michel'la Logan. “The fight against breast cancer is a cause that unites our team, our community and women everywhere.”Benefiting the American Cancer Society, the noncompetitive four-mile walk through Balboa Park raised $800,000 this year to help fund lifesaving research, free health screenings and service programs that make the battle again breast cancer easier for patients and their families. Each year breast cancer claims the lives of nearly 50,000 women in the United States alone. It is the second most common cancer in women and more than 180,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease this year.“Breast cancer is something that has touched each of our families, including mine, and it means a lot to me to be able to come together as a team to make positive strides toward finding a cure and boosting awareness,” said business junior Sidney Dobner, point guard and co-captain of the 15-member team.“We want to inspire others and lead by example both on and off the court,” added fellow teammate Natalie Curran.Sunday’s event marked the 12th consecutive year women’s basketball Coach Sheri Jennum has participated in the annual walk. It’s a tradition she hopes to continue each year with her team.Women’s basketball will begin their first season on Friday, Oct. 28, against NCAA Division II opponent Sonoma State University. Their first local showdown will be against Division I powerhouse USD on Friday, Nov. 11, at the Toreros’ home court pavilion, followed by the Cougars first home game at Mira Costa College on Saturday, Nov. 12, against The Master’s College.To learn more about the inaugural women’s basketball team, visit CSUSM Athletics.