Dec. 6, 2007

Garden City, N.Y. - On Thursday, December 6, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics presented the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program with a check for $6,000 as part of the Jennifer Montgomery Breast Cancer Awareness Event.

"I'm so pleased that this effort to educate and to support such an important medical issues of breast cancer was a success, said Director of Athletics Robert E. Hartwell. "Jennifer's strength in confronting her breast cancer is a strong example for all. Adelphi athletics is proud that we met and exceeded all goals established. Our students and professional staff have determined that this effort will now be an annual effort. We are proud that the Montgomery family name will be associated with this program."

Student-Athletes, coaches, faculty and staff participated in the event which was initiated in honor of Jennifer Montgomery, the wife of former men's soccer coach, Bob Montgomery. Jennifer, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment, was instrumental in the success of the event, and not only spoke to the student-athletes about early detection during a kick-off event on October 1, but also donated hand-made wreaths for the raffle.

"I am so impressed and honored to have been apart of this effort. The amount of money that has been raised in such a short period of time speaks volumes about how many people are affected and touched by breast cancer. I am so thankful and grateful to my friends, family, co-workers and to everyone at the Adelphi Athletic Dept., your efforts should be applauded. I'm so happy that we are able to contribute to the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline, what they do is so very important. I am looking forward to next years effort and I know we will be able to more than double our contribution".

The Athletic Department partnered with Student Government Association (SGA) to sell "Think Pink" T-shirts and wristbands. In addition, athletic teams as well as other administrative offices on campus donated baskets which were raffled off at the end of the month. The items were sold throughout the month of October by all athletic teams as well as at all home events, in the University Center and during Homecoming.

The fall sports teams also showed their support by wearing "Think Pink" t-shirts at pre-determined home events. Shirts were also provided to the opposing team to wear during warm-up with some teams doing so far as to add pink shoelaces to their uniform.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Committee was on hand to present the check to Hillary Rutter, Director of the Breast Cancer Hotline. "We are delighted that Department of Athletics is supporting our program and helping us to reach the women that need our services," Rutter said. "We are pleased that Jennifer was able to use our services and referred other people. We're happy that we were able to help."

The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program was founded in 1980 and was the first program of its kind in NYS exclusively addressing the psychosocial issues associated with breast cancer. The program serves as a clearinghouse for breast cancer resources and organizations throughout New York State.

As the only NY statewide toll free breast cancer hotline, they answer almost 4,000 calls each year and have over 350,000 web site visits each year. The center is staffed by over 100 specially trained, professionally supervised volunteers, most of whom are breast cancer survivors.