$45,000 from the 9th Annual Stick-It to Cancer Women’s Hockey Tournament presented to the University of Minnesota Cancer Center
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release, June 20, 2007
For more information:
Jackie Olson, Stick-It to Cancer Tournament Coordinator
763.792.7340
jolson@superrink.org
Sanya Sandahl, Stick-It to Cancer Tournament Coordinator
763.717.3210
ssandahl@superrink.org
BLAINE, Minn. (June 20, 2007) – The National Sports Center (NSC)/Stick-It to Cancer Hockey Tournament presented a $45,000 check on June 18th to the University of Minnesota’s Cancer Center for breast cancer research.
The check represented proceeds and donations from teams participating in the 9th Annual Stick-It to Cancer Hockey Tournament, which was held April 21-23 at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn. This year’s $45,000 donation marked an $8,000 increase from a year ago, as the NSC contributed $37,000 to the Cancer Center following the 2006 tournament. A long-term partnership between the entities has been established, enabling the NSC to assist this worthy cause for years to come.
Douglas Yee, M.D., Director of the Cancer Center, acknowledged the hard work and time put in by all tournament staff and volunteers as he expressed gratitude for the generous gift.
“It must be a hard thing to do,” Yee said of running the 74-team tournament, largely with volunteers. “We certainly appreciate everything [the NSC] does.”
Tournament volunteers and staff in attendance were presented with a golden “M” paperweight as well as a plaque signed by University President Robert H. Bruininks, acknowledging the NSC’s support for breast cancer research. With the donation comes a membership to the President’s Club and recognition on the Cancer Center Research Building (CCRB) Donor Wall.
“We chose the Cancer Center because we know where the money is going and what it’s going to be used for,” Tournament Coordinator Jackie Olson said.
Olson also seeks to take advantage of the recent Schwan Super Rink expansion in upcoming years.
“We are looking to expand to six rinks,” said Olson, whose tournament currently uses four rinks. “And next year is the 10th anniversary tournament, so we’re hoping for big things. We’re definitely looking to grow.”
The addition of roughly 20 teams will provide for larger donations to the Cancer Center in the future.
Approximately 200 volunteers are used throughout the three-day tournament. Furthermore, an impressive 75-100 referees also volunteer, most of which work 6-10 hours each day on the ice but stay for extended periods of time. Awards were also eliminated from the tournament in order to save on costs.
The all-you-can-eat waffle breakfast, sponsored by the Park and Sell Auto-Mart in Ham Lake, will continue to be held as part of future tournaments. This will further assist in raising much-needed funds.
“The reason we exist as a University, and the reason we exist as a Cancer Center, falls in line with [the NSC’s] goals,” Yee concluded.
Pete Carlson, Director of Schwan Super Rink Operations, summed it up best with a comment to Dr. Yee:
“So basically you’re doing everything you can to put yourself out of business.”
“Exactly,” Yee replied.
In attendance were: Dr. Douglas Yee, Director of the University’s Cancer Center; Rosemary Gruber, Director of Development for the Minnesota Medical Foundation; Corrie Knudson, Development Officer for the Minnesota Medical Foundation; Sue Julson, Executive Assistant for Development; Jackie Olson, Tournament Coordinator; Sanya Sandahl, Tournament Coordinator; Pete Carlson, Director of Schwan Super Rink Operations; Nancy Fondurulia, Volunteer Tournament Coordinator; Katelyn Fondurulia, Junior Member.