SCHENECTADY, NY – As ECAC Hockey rinks across the northeast begin substituting their traditional colors for pink, Union College women's ice hockey coach Claudia Asano and men's hockey junior defenseman Mike Wakita had at least 10 inches of hair snipped off on Wednesday to raise awareness for the fight against cancer.

 

“It's mean a lot to do something for this cause,” Asano said. “A few years ago, my mother lost a battle with breast cancer and I remember what she went through. Then this year we lost our volunteer coach George Morrison to brain cancer. I just want to help ease the pain and give back.”

 

“I lost someone close to me to breast cancer and I had been growing my hair with the intentions of donating it,” Wakita said. “It's a great way to raise awareness and give to a good cause.”

 

The hair went to Pantene Beautiful Lengths which donates wigs to the American Cancer Society who in turn provide free wigs to women in the Capital District community. The hair cuts were provided by Tammy Sbardella of The Image Studio.

 

The hair cuts, which took place inside the Dutchmen's locker room, came days before the Dutchwomen host Pink at the Rink during their Friday, Feb. 20 game against Colgate and their Saturday, Feb. 21 outing against Cornell. The women are participating in Pink of the Rink for the second consecutive year and in 2008 raised a conference-high $11,700 to be included in the ECAC Hockey overall fund of more than $55,000.

 

Last season the Dutchwomen donned pink jerseys, but on Friday and Saturday they will be using pink wraps to cover their sticks, which will be auctioned online. Also up for bid are the men's special black jerseys with pink trim. The Dutchmen will sport the new look for its Friday, Feb. 27 game against St. Lawrence.

 

To bid on the sticks, jersey and scarves and ties worn by the coaching staff, please go to ecachockeycoachesvscancer.com.

 

Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers all coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs.