Wingate, N.C.----The Bulldogs are taking on their deadliest opponent yet: Breast Cancer. The Wingate University men’s and women’s tennis program is teaming up with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, raising awareness and donations for breast cancer research. Bulldog head tennis coach Michael Cabana chose this organization because breast cancer is a disease that has personally affected his family.

The Wingate tennis teams encourage fans to come support this great cause on Saturday, March 19, when Wingate hosts rival Carson-Newman for a Breast Cancer Awareness match at 12 noon. Players are asking for supporters to pledge money based on their individual results, an added incentive for wins as every Bulldog hopes to raise as much money as possible to donate to this foundation.

“Unfortunately, many people do not realize how much of an epidemic this is until a loved one is afflicted,” Cabana says. “We are doing our part to make sure people in the near future beat cancer every time.” The match is a joint effort between the Wingate Bulldogs and the Carson-Newman Eagles. “This event is significant to me because my grandmother is a breast cancer survivor,” Carson-Newman senior Stephanie Goode says.

At the match, $2 pink wristbands and $10 pink Wingate tennis T-shirts will be on sale, all proceeds going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Coaches and players will also be wearing these custom-made shirts and wristbands to show their dedication to raising awareness. Everyone is welcome, free of charge, to come out to the tennis courts at Wingate and show support, eat some delicious lunch from local sponsors like Jersey Mike’s and Papa John’s, donate to the cause and buy a wristband or T-shirt.

With the help of the Wingate community, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation will be one step closer to finding the long-awaited cure for this deadly disease. “On behalf of Wingate University tennis, I want to thank our fans for helping to support this cause,” Cabana says. “We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.”

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private comprehensive university with more than 2,300 students on two campuses in Wingate and Matthews, North Carolina. The university offers 32 undergraduate majors, 36 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, physician assistant studies and sports administration and doctorates in pharmacy and education.

Wingate students gain the tools and support they need to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. The campus community offers in-class learning, out-of-class experiences, strong mentors, a competitive yet caring environment and rewarding community service opportunities for a complete educational experience.

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past four years.

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 38 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 47 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.