Oct. 19, 2004

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In efforts to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation and observe October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Memphis Volleyball program will raise money for the Breast Cancer foundation through its "Dig for the Cure" (DFTC) match against Marquette on Friday, Oct. 29. All 14 C-USA member volleyball teams are participating in the fund-raising campaign, with each team setting a goal of raising $3000.

This league-wide program was originated by Charlotte's head volleyball coach Lisa Marston.

"We started this program to honor breast cancer survivors around the world," said Marston, whose mom is a breast cancer survivor. "So many people are touched by this disease. I thought Dig For The Cure was a great way for our student-athletes to give back to their local communities and show how much Conference USA cares."

Under Marston's initiative, the 49ers have brought together the 13 other league schools to join forces in hopes to raise $42,000 for the Foundation. Charlotte raised nearly $3,000 last year and has challenged every school to match this figure.

Each school has designated one volleyball match either in October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or November as its DFTC match. Individual sponsors can pledge money per dig earned by their team in the match as well as provide flat donations. The money raised will go directly to the Komen Foundation in each respective local community.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation can visit their website at www.komen.org. For a complete list of DFTC matches, please visit the official Conference USA website at www.conferenceusa.org.

Anyone interested in making individual pledges or donating to the fund should contact Memphis volleyball's marketing coordinator, Clay Cooper at 901-678-5747 or email him at cmcoope@memphis.edu.