Real Men Wear Pink Patriots all-pro receiver Randy Moss covered his great pair of hands with some pink gloves in support of breast cancer awareness at the game on October 4th.
by Vito J. Leo
Over the years, the National Football League (NFL) evolved from a rough and tumble, beer-drinking, for-men-only image, to one that is more family oriented, embracing women as ardent fans and sportscasters.
And never was that more evident than during games played on the first Sunday of October – the month which for the past 25 years is traditionally reserved as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
On October 4th, the New England Patriots kicked off a month-long campaign to raise public awareness concerning breast cancer. Other NFL are participating, each franchise using different approaches all with the same goal: to raise awareness and money to help in the national effort to beat breast cancer.
“Throughout the league, games are featuring players, coaches and referees wearing pink game apparel, as well as on-field pink ribbon stencils, special K-balls and pink coins,” said a Patriots spokesperson.
In addition to players wearing pink accessories and the cheerleaders wearing pretty pink outfits, the team festooned Gillette Stadium with colorful pink, including the padding on the goal posts, and fans could purchase pink towels to wave during the game, with proceeds going to breast cancer research.
Jill Fallon, Salem, nurse manager, Cancer Center, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, New London, was first diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago.
“It’s awesome that they’re so aware of this,” said the decade-long survivor. “I love the fact that they can reach a lot of men and younger people who watch the games on TV might and who may not be aware of the need for annual mammograms,” she said.
But Jill offered a thought that perhaps people shouldn’t just turn off the awareness button come November 1 after the month-long spotlight on breast cancer during October.
“I wish there was similar awareness for other diseases as well,” she said. “So many people have other diseases [which aren’t fortunate enough to] get such national support.”
Tami Chapman, Griswold, is a registered nurse at L&M, and is involved with various support groups at the hospital.
She said she was pleased while watching an NFL game earlier this month and seeing the players wearing various pink accessories.
“I’m encouraged that they’re making an effort to make people more aware of this but people should realize that breast cancer is just one of many forms of cancer, although it seems to get more exposure than most of the others,” Tami said. “Everybody should realize there’s a ribbon color for every type of cancer, not just pink for breast cancer. Maybe the NFL could give some exposure to some other types of the disease during future months,” she said.
The NFL website also has specially designed pink paraphernalia for sale with a portion of the proceeds donated to support the fight against breast cancer. Visit www.nflshop.com and click on the breast cancer awareness icon.
The league has labeled its campaign “A Crucial Catch,” using the play on words to underscore the fact that catching symptoms of this disease early on is crucial in effecting good outcomes.
One way people can support the effort to raise research funding – without having to donate any money – is simply by visiting the website www.thebreastcancersite.com and clicking on the appropriate box. Sponsors donate funds for each click made, one per computer per day.
The NFL sends this message to both its male and female fans: “If you’re a woman who is 40 or older, be sure to get a mammogram every year. Men, don’t forget to encourage the important women in your life to get yearly mammograms, too.”
It’s important to realize that men are also susceptible to this disease, accounting for about one percent of all cases nationwide.
Fan favorite Brett Pill signs autographs before the game for (l-r) Troy Sullivan, Montville and Alex Huber, Mystic.
story & photo
by Vito J. Leo
For a couple of longtime season-ticket holders, the excitement surrounding the Norwich pro baseball team’s first playoff appearance in seven years was only tempered by a late-summer chill that descended on Dodd Stadium on September 9.
“If the weather is good, we’ll be here for every playoff game,” said Rose City resident Linda Jackson as she and her husband, Harry, cheered on the Connecticut Defenders as the Norwich nine easily handled the New Britain Rock Cats, 6-2, in the Eastern League playoff opener.
“We’ve been looking forward to this for years,” said Linda, a season-ticket holder for a decade. “These guys have had a great year and they’ve got one heckuva manager,” she said, referring to Defender-in-Chief Steve Decker.
Steve chose strikeout artist Ben Snyder to start this pivotal game with New Britain ace Deolis Guerra toeing the mound for the Rock Cats.
Both starting pitchers had rather shaky first innings, but Steve recovered far more quickly than did the Rock Cats’ hurler. The Norwich starter’s first three pitches of the game were balls but he then settled down and proceeded to tame the Cats, holding them scoreless until the ninth.
Deolis also settled down after a rocky first inning, but not before the Defenders had put a four-spot on the board, keyed by D.H. Martinez-Esteve’s three-run homer.
The Defenders finished atop the Northern Division with an 83-59 record this season.
(l-r) Ultimate fan Rachel Menze, 12, West Haven, had the chance to meet Rebecca Lobo at the 2009 WNBA All-Star game played at Mohegan Sun Arena, July 25.
by Roger Zotti
“It was a special Mohegan Sun event, a class act, and it brought together the best players from both conferences – which, of course, included a successful representation of UConn players,” said Uncasville resident Phil Carney, longtime Connecticut Sun and UConn basketball fan. Of course, Phil is talking about the 2009 WNBA All-Star game played at Mohegan Sun Arena, July 25.
At the final buzzer the Western Conference All Stars had scored 130 points and the Eastern Conference All-Stars 118 – which meant the 9,518 fans were treated to the most total points ever in a WNBA All-Star contest. Clearly players and fans enjoyed the lack of defense: 210 shots were taken and 73 three-pointers recorded.
Before the game, photographer and writer Chris Annino of The Resident spoke with the West’s Diana Taurasi, former UCONN great and current Phoenix Mercury guard, and Minnesota Lynx center Nicky Anosike. “The WNBA All-Star game is all about the fans and giving them a good show,” Diana said. “They deserve nothing but the best because without them we wouldn’t be here.”
Nicky said, “I am very happy about coming back. It feels great. If there is anything I could tell the kids out there, it would be if you wait and are patient, good things will come.”
He also talked with WNBA president Donna Orender and former UConn All-American Rebecca Lobo. “The WNBA has done very well in its only 13 years of existence,” Donna said. After the game she told Chris, “I told Sylvia Fowles before today’s game to slam a few buckets in. I was glad she did.”
Rebecca, who played with the New York Liberty and finished her WNBA career with the Connecticut Sun, is now a broadcaster for ESPN. “It’s great to be home and I love that there are five former Connecticut players in the game,” she said. “It is going to be a special event today.”
ALL-STAR GAME NOTES
After they were introduced Connecticut’s Asjha Jones (six points, six assists), Rebecca Lobo, and UConn coach Geno Auriemma received the loudest and longest cheers of the afternoon…. Replacing the injured Lisa Leslie, Sacramento’s Nicole Powell made her All-Star debut, tallying 21 points for the West…. Former UConn star Swin Cash of Seattle notched 22 points for the West, an All-Star game record, along with six rebounds and four assists, and was the game’s MVP…. During a time out, fans were treated to the talents of the New York Liberty Timeless Torches dance team. Wow! Go to YouTube.com/Timeless Torches to learn about these incredibly gifted and entertaining performers…. The six newest members of the 2010 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame were announced during the nationally televised game. One of them, Leta Andrews, Granbury (Texas) High School coach, is entering her 48th season. Her 1,262 victories make her the winningest girls’ coach in the country. Other inductees are Teresa Edwards, Gloria Ray, Teresa Witherspoon, Chris Weller, and Rebecca Lobo…. Kudos to Sylvia Fowles who brought the crowd to its feet with a successful dunk…. But where was Connecticut’s Lindsay Whalen? She deserves a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star roster.
On Monday, April 27th, Rico Petrocelli, all-star short stop, and Jim Lonborg, Cy Young Award-wining pitcher, from the 1967 Boston Red Sox Impossible Dream, presented and signed autographs at the Groton Inn and Suites. The event was the final installment of CT Dugout Club series, which will begin again in October.
Prior to the event Roger Lafrancois, co-founder, CT Dugout Club and professional baseball coach, presented a moving speech in memory of Rookie of the Year Award-winning pitcher Mark “Big Bird” Fidrych. Mark was originally scheduled to be one of the guest presenters during the CT Dugout series, but he was recently killed in an automobile accident. “Mark was a good friend and a great ball player. I had the privilege to catch him in one of his last minor league games, and it is a tremendous loss for everyone. He was such an amazing person,” said Roger.
During the event diehard Red Sox fans were able to interact with each of the baseball legends. The event was full of fans, ball players, and officials of all ages and backgrounds. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful beginning.
Ten-year-old Matthew Rooke Fanelli, Lyme, recently pitched in his first little league game for the Reds. “Mr. Petrocelli told me to really have fun and to keep trying. It was really cool meeting him,” he said.
Mike Ide, umpire, Killingly, rushed from a high school game to make it on time. He added, “Being a part of the Eastern Board of Umpires, I have gained much knowledge from speaking to a lot of these pro ball players especially Bill ‘The Spaceman’ Lee.”
At the end of the night Rico said, “In sports and in life, give it all you have so when your are done you can look back on your accomplishments.” He also added, in regards to the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry, “When both teams are great, it is the best medicine for baseball because that’s when you see two talented teams play the best baseball there is.”
It was a perfect day for a parade, a perfect way to end a perfect season.
“It couldn’t have been more perfect this afternoon. The weather was absolutely gorgeous,” said Shana Segal, Glastonbury, one of the estimated 25,000 people who attended a parade and rally at the Capitol on Sunday to honor the 2009 National Champions, the undefeated UConn Women’s Basketball team.
Shana was at Bushnell Park with her children and her parents, three generations of Husky fans all basking in the glow of an unforgettable string of 39 victories.
“We’re all huge UConn fans,” said Shana who said she watched every game this season with her dad, Marshall Yudin, Mystic, who was at the parade with his wife, Diane.
The modest parade through downtown Hartford featured Governor M. Jodi Rell, Dr. Michael Hogan, president, UConn, and several other dignitaries riding in open cars followed by UConn musicians and cheerleaders, local marching and drill units and, of course, the National Champs themselves, riding astride the top of an open double-decker sightseeing bus.
The team ended the season at 39-0, the third unbeaten campaign and the sixth national championship under head coach Geno Auriemma.
After the parade, during a 25-minute rally on the steps of the state capitol, emcee Bob Joyce, the voice of the Huskies on WTIC Radio, praised the Hall of Fame coach for the continued success of the team.
“He recruits talented and headstrong players and he gets the best out of them,” Bob said, adding that most of the women “are better people” for their effort because of the coach’s concern for not only the players’ physical welfare but their mental and emotional well-being as well.
Geno received a loud reception when he walked to the podium but it didn’t move the audiometer quite as much as the roar from the crowd when departing senior Renee Montgomery took her turn at the mic.
“No offense to Minnesota but this is why I don’t want to leave CT,” said Renee who was recently drafted by the Minnesota Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WBNA).
Renee should be returning to Eastern CT on a regular basis when her new team travels here to take on the local WBNA franchise at the Mohegan Sun.
There was a touching moment as the women were about to get back on the team bus after the festivities, working their way through the crowds of fans, when a little girl approached Renee for an autograph and the captain eagerly obliged.
Moments later, after Renee boarded the bus, the nine-year-old burst into tears of joy for having the chance to meet her favorite player.
Perhaps that’s what Gov. Rell was referring to when she told the team during Sunday’s rally that “you have represented CT in the best possible way.”
Gov. Rell thanked this talented troupe for providing a bit of brightness and cheer during a New England winter made even more dreary than usual thanks to a faltering economy.
“During this past winter, when the weather wasn’t the greatest, when we all had a lot of things weighing on our minds, we were looking for a little diversion and, thanks to you, we got it,” Gov. Rell said.
And, as soon as she praised the team, she then turned around and gave the fans their due as well.
“I just told Geno, ‘This is the greatest fan base any team could ask for,’” she said.
According to a University spokesman, the parade was primarily planned by representatives from the Governor’s office, the Hartford Business Improvement District and the MetroHartford Alliance. The event was funded through donations from the State of CT, the city of Hartford, several civic organizations and local businesses.
“This was a great idea. It was an excellent day, well organized, lots of friendly people and Mother Nature cooperated too,” said Dorene Willey, Willington, an administrative assistant with the UConn Plant Sciences Department. “Where it all began,” Dorene quipped, referring to the original purpose for which the university was created.
Dorene’s husband, Victor, summed up what was no doubt the thoughts of many UConn fans, “Hope to be back here again next year.”
