Miami Volleyball Raises Money for Dig for the Cure

Dec. 16, 2008

Coral Gables, Fla. – Nicole Lantagne Welch, in her eighth season at the helm of the University of Miami volleyball program, announced on Monday evening the final money count for this year’s UM fundraising initiative in the Dig for the Cure program to support breast cancer research and awareness.

Miami took part in the annual program the weekend of Nov. 2 when they played host to Wake Forest University at the James L. Knight Sports Complex. The Hurricanes officially raised $3,377.25 at this year’s event. According to Lantagne Welch, this is the most money raised so far in Miami’s involvement in the Dig for the Cure program.

“Our team did an outstanding job of reaching out to people to give to such an important cause,” expressed Lantagne Welch, recently named as the 2008 ACC and AVCA South Region Volleyball Coach of the Year. “This is the most money we have raised for this event to date, and we are proud of the efforts that will continue the fight against breast cancer.”

Against the Demon Deacons, the Hurricanes volleyball team wore pink ribbons in their hair, as well as pink tape around the wrists and ankles, and wore pink playing shoes. Members of the coaching staff and operations team, as well as Sebastian the Ibis, donned pink apparel and paraphernalia as well.

The Dig for the Cure program was started in 2003 by Lisa Marston, a former volleyball coach at UNC Charlotte after her mother survived breast cancer. The D4C foundation had hopes of raising in excess of $350,000 this year. Final figures for the schools around the nation and the ultimate goal have not been released as of yet. In past years, some schools have given away brochures and reading material at matches, as well as having local and national media do features on the program itself.

For more information on the Dig for the Cure program/foundation, locate your internet browser to http://web.mac.com/lisamarston/digforthecure/Home.html.