For the first time at Harding University, a Powder Puff flag football tournament will be held to fundraise for Relay for Life — a campaign headed by the American Cancer Society across the country to raise money for cancer research. In the past, Harding held an all-nighter on the front lawn for student organizations and social clubs to raise money.
Senior Taylor McCain, a member of the Harding Relay for Life committee, said this idea came about last fall as a way to raise money during Harding’s Relay for Life events.
“We wanted to do a sports-related fundraiser to help reach our new goal of $30,000 for all of [Harding’s] Relay for Life,” McCain said.
Participation is open to all female students, regardless of whether or not they are involved in a social club. A team should consist of anywhere between 7 to 17 women. Sign-ups are available through the link in the biography of Harding’s Relay for Life Instagram page, @relayforlifehu. The fee to participate is $10, which covers the cost of jerseys for the tournament.
Sophomore Elaine Helpenstill, athletic director for women’s social club Zeta Rho, said she hopes people will come out and support the powder puff tournament.
“It’s just a fun way to get people in clubs to get hyped up and show some camaraderie in a way that’s raising money [for a good cause],” Helpenstill said.
Dr. Lisa Bryant, assistant professor of education and Relay for Life sponsor, said she hopes that by plugging into Relay for Life while at Harding, students will continue to participate in the event after graduating.
“Since Relay for Life is the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, it is important for students to be involved so that we can all work together to find a cure for cancer,” Bryant said. “It is the hope that students will become involved at Harding and then stay involved with [Relay for Life] when they go on to their adult lives.”
The powder puff tournament will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21. Concessions will be sold, with the proceeds benefitting Relay for Life. A $5 wristband can be purchased to watch the tournament all day, beginning at 10 a.m. Harding’s annual Relay for Life event will take place on Friday, October 4th.
