(Story courtesy of Austin College)
SHERMAN, Texas - When the Austin College men’s soccer team takes the field against Centre College on October 17, the ’Roos and Colonels will write the next chapter in a burgeoning rivalry within the SCAC. Unlike most rivalries, this one did not grow out of on-field competition, but through a united effort to raise awareness of breast cancer in conjunction with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
In 2007, Mark Hudson was named the head coact at Austin College after having played an served as an assistant coach at Centre. He and Centre coach Jeb Burch decided to have a friendly wager that year in support of a tremendous cause when their teams took the field for their annual conference matchup.
During the summer of that year, rising Centre senior Robby Crump's mother Sue Hauck was fighting breat cancer. Sadly, she lost her life to the disease as the team reported to preseason camp that August. Hudson shared a similar experience, as longtime family friend Elizabeth Walter also lost her life to breast cancer in 2007.
With the two coaches and friends having seen firsthand the tragedy of breast cancer, they decided to join forces with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the larges grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all, and energize science to find the cures for breast cancer.
"Breast cancer is a disease that will affect each of my players, directly or indirectly, in their lifetimes," said Hudson. "This is a cause that is very easy for us to get behind and one of the more important events the team takes part in. Add the friendly competition with Centre and it really makes for a special event."
The inaugural Komen Game between Austin College and Centre took place on October 27, 2007, in Danville, Ky. with the two teams raising more than $5,700 for the Komen Foundation in the names of Hauck and Walter. The game itself provided an incredible Hollywood-ending, as Crump, who had never scored a goal in his career, hit the golden goal five minutes into overtime.
The following season Komen Game II came to Sherman, where the teams again combined to raise more than $5,200 for the Komen Foundation. The Colonels went on to win the match 1-0. Last season, the two teams returned to Danville for Komen Game III, with Centre again winnings 3-1. Most importantly, however, the 'Roos and Colonels combined to raise an incredible $9,200 for breast cancer awareness.
This season Komen Game IV comes to Sherman at 2 p.m. on October 17, and once again the two teams will engage in a friendly competition to see which side can raise the most money for breast cancer research. As part of the event, the 'Roos will be wearing pink uniforms and all who attend are encouraged to wear pink in support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which lasts the engire month of October.
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