UWT to host 3rd annual Big Pink Volleyball tournament

UW Tacoma’s Center for Student Involvement will host the Big Pink Vol­leyball tournament Feb. 21–22 in the UWY. The nation-wide event raises awareness about breast cancer and is open to all students, faculty, staff and YMCA members — with registration closing Feb. 13 at noon.

To get on the court with the four-foot pink volleyball, you must form a team with a minimum of four members and maximum of 10. Registration is free for all students while non-students pay $5 each.

Big Pink Volleyball began in 2002 at Western Illinois University to raise mon­ey for nonprofit organizations focusing on breast cancer, like Susan G. Komen for the Cure. UWT began hosting its own BPV tournament three years ago.

According to Jeremy Homolka, stu­dent facilities specialist for UWT’s Cen­ter for Student Involvement, “[BPV] is an international program that has been hosted by approximately 50 universities, high schools and businesses in the United States and Canada.”

Homolka said that while UWT has not organized the fundraising aspect of BPV yet, they are expecting to do so in coming years. In the meantime, the tournament still provides a fun event focused on a good cause.

“Big Pink Volleyball is an excellent example of a campus life program that brings people together in a fun and unique way,” Homolka said. “It’s also a great opportunity for team building for student organizations and departments, and not to mention friendly competition.”

You must register as a team to par­ticipate in the tournament, contributing to the community-building aspect of the event. In the past, many student clubs and organizations have partici­pated in BPV — with the Filipino American Student Association taking the championship twice.

Christine Tabila — president of UWT’s FASA — said her organization hopes to take the championship a third time this year.

“I see Big Pink Volleyball as an im­portant event for organizations to join because it’s a great bonding experience and a great team building activity,” Tabi­la said. “I would like students to know that they don’t have to know how to play volleyball to play BPV, and it’s a super fun way to raise awareness for breast cancer.”

Teams interested in having fun and supporting a good cause should register by the deadline of Feb. 13, complete waiv­ers for each individual participating and be available both days of the tournament. UWT Bing Pink Volleyball champions will receive free champion T-shirts.

To find out more information, requirementsand registration, visit:
tacoma.uw.edu/bigpink