By Dan Hardenbrook
One of the biggest sporting events of the season—the annual Dig Pink volleyball game—will pair Newberry and Engadine volleyball teams in competition for an incredible cause on Thursday night.
Billed as the “most important game of the year”, Dig Pink counts on the local rivalry to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer treatment and research. This year’s Dig Pink game is hosted in Newberry.
It will be the 16th local Dig Pink game, which have raised tens of thousands of dollars in its existence. Along with the JV and varsity volleyball matches, both teams organized a special program in tribute to those who are fighting or have fought breast cancer. Dig Pink also includes special musical performances, a raffle for pink game balls signed by each team, a 50/50 drawing, and an all-pink bake sale. Local organizations will have information booths sharing the services they provide for breast cancer patients.
Our 2024 Dig Pink event will begin at 5:30 p.m. The JV match will start the evening, followed by the programs and special contests before the varsity showdown.
Limited edition Dig Pink T-Shirts are on sale for the event. Shirts can be purchased from the U.P. Trading Company in downtown Newberry, or from the Newberry and Engadine school offices.
All proceeds from the 2024 Dig Pink night will go to local organizations in the two communities.
Dig Pink is a nationwide program, presented by the Side-Out Foundation, which was founded in 2005 by Rick Dunetz, who was coaching high school volleyball when his mother Gloria was diagnosed with breast cancer. Rick and his father, Bryan, used volleyball as an avenue to pay tribute and raise awareness, starting the Dig Pink movement in the process.
Dig Pink is sponsored locally by Helen Newberry Joy Hospital and Healthcare Center, Newberry Motors, the LMAS District Health Department, and Louisiana Pacific.
For more info on Dig Pink and the Side-Out Foundation’s mission to help people living with metastatic breast cancer see more tomorrows, go online to side-out.org.
