March 17, 2004
UM Softball, Baseball to host weekend raising awareness for
cancer and cystic fibrosis
MOBILE, Ala. -- This weekend’s baseball
and softball games that pit the University of Mobile against
Spring Hill College will transcend renewing cross-town
rivalries; it will also be about raising awareness and
donations, for cancer and cystic fibrosis, respectively.
The fourth-ranked
Rams softball team (23-5) will once again put their unblemished
16-0 home record to the test against the 14th-ranked
Badgers. More importantly, they will attempt to exceed the
nearly $1,000 dollars raised in last year’s “Strikeout Cancer”
fundraiser, by teaming up with Spring Hill.
After teaming up with their
cross-town rival to host the elite, 16-team, Gulf Coast Invitational
tournament in Orange Beach, this will mark the second consecutive
collaboration between rival coaches, former teammates, and good friends UM
coach Becky Clark and Spring Hill coach Coby Mackin.
Last year, NAIA Pitcher of the
Year Missy Passley and NAIA All-Tournament pitcher Kirby Baxter combined
for 16 strikeouts.
Those attending the
double-header, set to begin Saturday at 2 p.m., may give a flat donation
or make pledges for each strikeout. If interested in making a donation or
pledge, contact UM coach Becky Clark at 442-2277 for more information.
Please make all checks payable to “American Cancer Society.”
Also in action on Saturday is
UM Rams head coach Mike Jacobs and his baseball team.
The Rams will also be dueling
cross-town rival Spring Hill College in what is being dubbed as “Cystic
Fibrosis Awareness Weekend.”
When coach Jacobs and his Rams
baseball team begin double-header play at home, on Saturday at 12 noon,
they will do so in hopes of raising awareness and money for cystic
fibrosis. A portion of the gate money as well as money donated will go
towards “Great Strides”, the cystic fibrosis annual and nationwide walk to
cure fibrosis.
The tens of thousands of
children and young adults who battle this life threatening genetic disease
that affects the respiratory and digestive systems have been given hope
through the CF Foundation who relies heavily upon the fundraisers such as
the “Great Strides” walk.
Along with raising money and
awareness for research for cystic fibrosis, coach Jacobs hopes many in
attendance will volunteer to participate in the April 24th walk
for cystic fibrosis in Cottage Hill Park.
Contact UM Coach Mike Jacobs at
442-2228 for more information or to make a donation.
