Pink Work Boots

Marlboro, Massachusetts On February 17th, 2010, the Becker College men’s ice hockey team arrived at the rink for a contest with the Suffolk University Rams. The Hawks of Becker College and the Rams of Suffolk University were competing for a prime playoff spot. With the playoff berth hanging in the balance the game was absolutely imperative as far as the win category is concerned.

With a heightened sense of awareness, this game gained more of an immense importance to the players, coaches, and students of Becker College. The contest between the Hawks and Rams marked the first annual Pink in the Rink event. The Hawks donned special event pink jerseys to raise money and, more importantly, awareness for breast cancer research and the fight for a cure.

The Becker College Student Government Association provided transportation and special event t-shirts for the game. The t-shirts were sold at both the college and the rink. The Susan G. Komen Foundation received the proceeds from the special event t-shirt sales. The Becker College Student Government Association (SGA) was able to acquire three busloads of students to attend the game. The rink was absolutely packed and the emotions of those in attendance heightened the awareness and spirits of the players and other spectators.

With an event such as Pink in the Rink one is able to see the sensitive and caring side of hockey players. Typically hockey players are seen as violent, rough, and scrappy individuals. When the Hawks strapped their boots on and went to work that evening, you could cut the tension with a knife. The athletes on both teams wore pink ribbons on the back of their helmets to support breast cancer research. Directly following the starting lineup and concert, the captain of the Hawks and captain of the Rams faced off at center ice in a ceremonial puck drop.

The honorary puck dropper was the daughter of Becker College’s assistant coach Walter Sullivan. Accompanying Coach Sullivan’s daughter was Coach Sullivan’s son and Becker’s second assistant coach, Bobby Allen. Both Coach Sullivan and Coach Allen have dealt with adverse effects of breast cancer. The ceremonial puck drop signified the beginning of the game and indicated the importance of the event.

The Hawks came out with a fiery burst of fury and passion. Both teams were evenly matched in ranking and standings. At the final horn the Rams were one goal better than the Hawks and added a tally in the win category.

At the conclusion of all the festivities, the special event jerseys worn by the Hawks were sold to the players at the price of $75.00 each. Every jersey was bought, and a second order is necessary in order to suffice the needs of those who were willing to pay $100.00 for a jersey. The Hawks donated all of the proceeds generated by the jersey sales to the JoAnne Sullivan Cancer Foundation.

The JoAnne Sullivan Cancer Foundation was created by Coach Walter Sullivan of Becker College to honor his beloved wife whose life was captured by breast cancer at the beginning of last year (2009).
Without Coach Sullivan’s support and the support of all the individuals at Becker College, this event would never have been possible. This event brought the students, faculty, and ice hockey players of Becker College together as one to fight this far-reaching disease.

The event was an immense success. With the help of the students, faculty, and the ice hockey program, the awareness and support for breast cancer research has been put in the spotlight. This event has inspired other athletic programs and individual efforts to help fight for a cure and raise awareness. The community of Becker has since chipped in to raise funds and awareness.

The importance of this event reaches far beyond the score of the game or the standings. This event brought to the table a compassionate and compelling story of twenty young men that were able to inspire many, raise awareness for a phenomenal cause, and bring an entire school just a little bit closer as a community. The Becker College Hawks and Suffolk University Rams put breast cancer research and awareness in the spotlight and motivated others to do the same. When the actions of few inspires many, and the actions of many inspires several, the possibilities are endless.

-Kevin M. Coyne

Posted in Athletics