West Windsor, N.J. – On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC’s) women’s and men’s basketball teams traded in their regular shoelaces for pink ones as they once again participated in the 5th annual “Think Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Night. The event was co-sponsored by the Athletics Department and the Mercer chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC).

According to Athletics staff member Erin Cahill-Wetzel, who is an AAWCC member and helped to organize the event, “Think Pink” is held to raise money for the Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) of the YWCA, Princeton.  Volunteers from the Breast Cancer Resource Center set up an educational display in the lobby and spoke at half time of both games.

The night featured raffle prizes donated by local businesses and organization including Brother’s Pizza, Carella’s Hallmark and Chocolates, Carella’s Shoes, Central Perk Bagel Co., Mark Pratico Jewelers, which donated a Vera Bradley bag, and Kelsey Theatre, which donated tickets to the musical “Cats.”  Princeton University donated tickets to a men’s and women’s basketball game and Rider University donated tickets to a women’s game. MCCC women’s soccer player Chelsea Johnson made bracelets that were sold that night and many fans made monetary contributions at the door.

Cahill-Wetzel extends special thanks to businesses who donated raffle items. “Their generosity has enabled us to add significantly to our proceeds and our success in the last two years.  It’s great to see groups on and off campus coming together to get involved.”

Proceeds from the event totaled $500 that will be donated to BCRC, a volunteer-based organization that provides services to those fighting breast cancer.

In addition to shining a spotlight on an important cause, both Vikings teams won their games vs. Morris that night.  The women defeated Morris 57-55 on a buzzer beater as freshman Brittanie Bingham hit a 3- pointer with less than two seconds left.  The men followed with an 82-58 rout of Morris.

Also in February, the women’s basketball team completed a second successful fundraiser for BCRC.  Organized by Assistant Coach Jane Berlinger, team members participated in a foul-shot-a-thon, with sponsorships coming from family and friends.  Each player took 100 foul shots during a late-seasons practice, and sponsors ponied up either a flat donation or pledged money for each free throw made.  Players collected $1,045, adding up to a lot of baskets made and a lot of donors who gave generously.

Women's soccer player Chelsea Johnson pitched in by making bracelets whose sale added to the proceeds for Think Pink Night.