TAFT, CA – On Wednesday, February 21 at 6:00 pm, Taft College Women's Basketball will host Merced College in a Central Valley Conference game playing in their 1st Annual Play 4Kay National Breast Cancer Research and Awareness game.

Throughout the night the gym will be adorned, and the game will be promoted in a pink night atmosphere hoping to make awareness of breast cancer research and an opportunity to pledge to the cause. The Al Baldock Cougars Sport Center will be decorated with pink décor. The ball will be officially pink, and coaches and players will also be wearing pink to show their support. Fans are encouraged to wear a significant amount of pink apparel in support of the cause and event. Also, there will be prize tickets sold during the game to win lots of prizes that have been donated by supporting businesses throughout the community and the Taft College campus. All proceeds will go towards the Kay Yow breast cancer research foundation.

Head Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. on promoting Play 4Kay at Taft, "I'm really excited going into our 1st season hosting this annual event. It's for a great cause and it's something I have been doing as a head coach for the past 16 years at four different schools. Lots of money has been donated, and I'm glad Taft is part of the national campaign in the girl's and women's basketball world. In the last 6 years, my teams have been No. 1 in the country raising the most money in the two-year college division. I hope to make it seven while here at Taft College."

Coach Kay Yow was a Naismith Hall of Fame women's basketball coach at North Carolina State University for 34 years. As a coach, she was a leader, but more than a leader, she was an inspiration. She was a woman who spent her life giving to others, so it is only fitting she leaves behind a way that she still gives to others.

As a result of her own 22 year battle with cancer, Coach Yow founded the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to give hope to others who also found themselves in a similar battle.
Play 4Kay is the largest fundraising initiative of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Your financial support of Play 4Kay enables the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to continue to make an impact in the fight against ALL women's cancers.

During the month of February, basketball teams around the country will be participating in the Play4Kay Pledge It Playoff benefiting the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Players, coaches, and fans will unite in an effort to extend and improve the lives of all women battling cancer by raising money for research and assisting the underserved.

Teams from all 50 states participate in Play4Kay and have made this the largest grassroots fundraising initiative of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

You can donate directly to Team Taft's Page at: https://charity.pledgeit.org/f/atNT7Lldjq

Any questions please contact Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. at 661-763-7725 or rlagmay@taftcollege.edu.