Crusaders Against Cancer throws pies in the face for charity
By Jillian Law
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It was impossible to miss the giant, pink inflatable chair in the middle of Take 5 in late October. As the chair was inflated, Rachel Steinbarger, Madonna’s women’s basketball coach, and Ronnie Pollack, Madonna’s golf coach, prepared for their fate. They put on orange rain ponchos, strapped on goggles, and took their places on the chair. To the side, their players eagerly rifled through their wallets for a few dollars. After all, no one wanted to miss out on the fun.
Crusaders Against Cancer, a joint effort from the Athletic department and the First-Year Experience office, aimed to raise money for breast cancer research while offering a rare opportunity to student athletes: shoving a pie in their coaches’ and trainers’ faces.
The Pie in the Face fundraiser ran from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 23 and 24 with different coaches, trainers, and athletic staff rotating out every half hour. This gave students an opportunity to attend between classes.
For $3, students got one pie, and for $5 they got two pies. The pies themselves were simply plates of whipped cream, but this did not make the experience any less satisfying for student athletes.
Hannah Brown, a business major and a member of the woman’s golf team, was eager to participate in the Pie in the Face event.
“It’s for a good cause, and I would love to see my coach pied,” said Brown.
Brown and a friend then bought two pies to shove in their coach Ronnie Pollack’s face at the same time.
Luckily, the members of the Athletic department were game to have pies shoved in their faces, especially if it meant raising money for breast cancer research. Steinbarger, the woman’s basketball coach, enjoyed the experience.
“I love it because they know there’s no harm in it, and it’s giving back to a good cause,” said Steinbarger. “Breast cancer runs in my family so I’m happy to participate.”
Luisa Wiewgorra, a Journalism and Public Relations major and a member of the volleyball team, felt that the event gave coaches and students a unique opportunity to join forces outside of athletics.
“I think that student-athletes like to participate in events like this because it brings coaches and players together,” said Wiewgorra. “You get to do something you usually wouldn’t do, and it is a fun experience for everyone involved.”
Unfortunately, Wiewgorra did not get the opportunity to smash a pie in her head coach Jerry Abraham’s face, but she would love the chance if the fundraiser occurs again next year.
“I would totally pie him in the face because it is for a good cause,” said Wiewgorra. “This fundraiser is a great opportunity for Madonna athletics to unite and raise awareness for breast cancer.”
All proceeds from the Pie in the Face fundraiser goes to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Detroit. Making Strides Against Cancer Detroit is an annual walk that aims to raise money to help fund breast cancer research and provide patient services like transportation and a 24 hour hotline.
[email protected]
It was impossible to miss the giant, pink inflatable chair in the middle of Take 5 in late October. As the chair was inflated, Rachel Steinbarger, Madonna’s women’s basketball coach, and Ronnie Pollack, Madonna’s golf coach, prepared for their fate. They put on orange rain ponchos, strapped on goggles, and took their places on the chair. To the side, their players eagerly rifled through their wallets for a few dollars. After all, no one wanted to miss out on the fun.
Crusaders Against Cancer, a joint effort from the Athletic department and the First-Year Experience office, aimed to raise money for breast cancer research while offering a rare opportunity to student athletes: shoving a pie in their coaches’ and trainers’ faces.
The Pie in the Face fundraiser ran from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 23 and 24 with different coaches, trainers, and athletic staff rotating out every half hour. This gave students an opportunity to attend between classes.
For $3, students got one pie, and for $5 they got two pies. The pies themselves were simply plates of whipped cream, but this did not make the experience any less satisfying for student athletes.
Hannah Brown, a business major and a member of the woman’s golf team, was eager to participate in the Pie in the Face event.
“It’s for a good cause, and I would love to see my coach pied,” said Brown.
Brown and a friend then bought two pies to shove in their coach Ronnie Pollack’s face at the same time.
Luckily, the members of the Athletic department were game to have pies shoved in their faces, especially if it meant raising money for breast cancer research. Steinbarger, the woman’s basketball coach, enjoyed the experience.
“I love it because they know there’s no harm in it, and it’s giving back to a good cause,” said Steinbarger. “Breast cancer runs in my family so I’m happy to participate.”
Luisa Wiewgorra, a Journalism and Public Relations major and a member of the volleyball team, felt that the event gave coaches and students a unique opportunity to join forces outside of athletics.
“I think that student-athletes like to participate in events like this because it brings coaches and players together,” said Wiewgorra. “You get to do something you usually wouldn’t do, and it is a fun experience for everyone involved.”
Unfortunately, Wiewgorra did not get the opportunity to smash a pie in her head coach Jerry Abraham’s face, but she would love the chance if the fundraiser occurs again next year.
“I would totally pie him in the face because it is for a good cause,” said Wiewgorra. “This fundraiser is a great opportunity for Madonna athletics to unite and raise awareness for breast cancer.”
All proceeds from the Pie in the Face fundraiser goes to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Detroit. Making Strides Against Cancer Detroit is an annual walk that aims to raise money to help fund breast cancer research and provide patient services like transportation and a 24 hour hotline.