When the UConn Women’s Ice Hockey team took the ice for their home matchup against the Boston Terriers, their bright pink neon jerseys drew the eye.
The Huskies rocked the pink jerseys for Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer, an initiative that raised money for the UConn Health Center.
“Super proud of my team, it’s been a tradition since I’ve been here and I just love how our team rallies,” head coach Chris Mckenzie said.
Over $6,000 were raised for the cause. The UConn women’s ice hockey team is just one of the Connecticut teams that does events like this.
The UConn men’s soccer team plays with pink laces, the UConn women’s soccer team plays with pink jerseys, just like the women’s basketball team. The men’s basketball team spends Christmastime with the community in Hartford.
It’s all about giving to the community for the flagship university.
“I think it’s part of who we are, part of our culture, we are giving back to the community and there isn’t anyone out there who is not affected in some way by cancer,” Mckenzie said.
Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer was funded in 2006 and has contributed nearly$400,000 in 11 seasons, according to the Hockey East Website.
UConn raises the money through youth clinics, which took place last Monday at Freitas. Participants pay a registration fees. Players are part of the clinic but they also have another way to help raise money.
“Storming the Doors” is a program in which players sell T-shirts and the proceeds go to the UConn Health Center.
“Skating Strides has also given student-athletes the opportunity to give back to the communities in which they study and play hockey,” as reported by the Hockey East website.
The Hockey East brought the Bertagna trophy, the award given to Hockey East Champion each year, and put it on display as part of the trophy tour.
By: Daniela Marulanda a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. She can be reached via email at daniela.marulanda@uconn.edu.
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