Monday, September 24, 2007

Press Conference: Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink

*NMSU Athletics Press Release*
Las Cruces, N.M.-The NMSU Aggies ARE Tough Enough to Wear Pink! Are you tough enough to wear pink? That is the question posed by NMSU Head Football Coach Hal Mumme and his wife June. On September 29th Aggie fans will be seeing pink and lots of it, to fight a deadly disease. In 1996, June was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her treatment included a lumpectomy, followed a week later by a mastectomy, six months of chemotherapy and five years of continued treatment. Since then Hal and June have been actively involved in breast cancer awareness and fundraising activities.

In a unique opportunity, the New Mexico State Athletics Department has agreed to designate the football game on September 29th against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, as a breast cancer awareness initiative and fundraiser. Coach Mumme has brought together Four Honorary Chair-Women for this event, all with strong ties to New Mexico State University and all cancer survivors; Magella Boston (wife of Athletics Director Dr. McKinley Boston), Laura Conniff (Currently Chair of the NMSU Regents), June Mumme (wife of head football coach Hal Mumme) and Pat Sisbarro (wife of car dealer Lou Sisbarro).

The proceeds generated by this event will be used to fund breast cancer and women's cancer research project, conducted by UNM Cancer Center and New Mexico State University Department of Chemistry and Biology. This initiative is being conducted in partnership with ‘Cowboys For Cancer Research’.

“The response has been wildly overwhelming,” Coach Mumme said. “It has put a kind and giving, female face on football!! Breast cancer has touched many lives, including players, trainers and coaches. Fans and supporters are anxious to get involved in anyway possible.”


Game Events include:

* Gigantic pink ribbons painted in the end zones
* NMSU football coaches dressed in pink shirts
* Skydivers presenting a pink check to Cowboys for Cancer Research during half-time
* NMSU Band wearing Pink t-shirts
* Special publication inserted in game program
* Pink merchandise and giveaways

What started as a national cowboy oriented awareness the ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ initiative has gone from the rodeo arena to the football stadium. Thanks to Coach Mumme this nationwide movement, ‘Tough Enough To Wear Pink’ continues to gather speed raising awareness and funds to fight breast cancer, not only cowboy style but football style.


Head Coach Hal Mumme sports a Tough Enough To Wear Pink bracelet during the press conference.


Hal and June Mumme speak of how successful their efforts with the 'Though Enought To Wear Pink' game have been. "No one said no when I solicited them," June said.


Cowboys For Cancer Research Representative

*****
NMSU is the University to get involved with 'Tough Enough to Wear Pink' by donating proceeds through the more masculine football sporting events. Other Univiersities within the WAC have called June Mumme with an interest of getting involved.

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