Baseball to host breast cancer awareness event Saturday

Amanda L. Booren -- March 19, 2012

HOUSTON – The San Jacinto College (SJC) baseball team will host the third annual Play Pink game on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at 2 p.m. against Angelina College, to raise money for Angel Flight South Central and breast cancer awareness.

For the San Jac baseball team, the cause hits close to home. San Jac assistant coach Jimmy Durham lost his wife, Michele, to breast cancer eight years ago. At the time, Durham was on the coaching staff at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, New Mexico. While Michele was being treated in Houston, the couple used the services of Angel Flight South Central (then called Grace Flight of America) to fly Michele and the Durham family to and from New Mexico and Houston free of charge.

“We encourage everyone to come out to JR Harrison Field on Saturday, wearing pink, to support this worthy cause and organization,” said Head Coach Tom Arrington, who is now in his 12^th season at the helm of the San Jac baseball program. “We’re proud to host this event for the third straight year, because we know it hits home for so many families. We look forward to a great game against conference rival Angelina College.”

According to its website, Angel Flight provides free air transportation for medical and humanitarian purposes. The organization’s goal is to remove the transportation burden from patients so they can receive specialized medical treatment that may not be available to them locally. Angel Flight also has a ground crew that drives patients to and from the local airports in their communities to hospitals.

All money raised from donations, barbeque plates, and a silent auction will go directly to Angel Flight in support of its efforts for families like the Durham’s. San Jac players and coaches will wear special pink jerseys and Play Pink caps during the game. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to support the cause, and will have the opportunity to bid on a one year city-wide family membership to any YMCA, and a WD Ley Family YMCA membership. San Jac baseball games are free to attend, but donations will be accepted for admission to the Play Pink game.

San Jacinto College is currently 19-15 overall, 13-6 in Region XIV play. All baseball home games are played at J.R. Harrison Field located on the San Jacinto College North campus at 5800 Uvalde Road in Houston, and can be heard live online by Legacy Sports Network, the official broadcast partner of San Jacinto College athletics.

For information about Angel Flight South Central, or to make a donation, visit the organization’s website, or call 1-888-500-0433.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.