Every volleyball coach knows the importance of team traditions. They build unity, create memories, and keep players coming back year after year. Dig Pink is more than just a game; it's a movement to support breast cancer research through the Side-Out Foundation. So, how do you turn this into a tradition your team looks forward to every year? Let's dig into some specifics.
In This Article
- Starting Strong: Early Planning
- Creating Buzz with Themes and Events
- Building Purpose: More Than Just a Game
- Tracking Impact and Sharing Success
- The Power of Consistency
- Real-Life Examples of Successful Traditions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- Plan early to build excitement and ownership within the team.
- Use themes and incentives to create an engaging event atmosphere.
- Highlight the purpose to inspire player commitment and community support.
- Celebrate successes and show data to reinforce impact.
- Consistency in hosting Dig Pink events builds tradition and anticipation.
Starting Strong: Early Planning
You've probably heard it a thousand times: start early. This advice holds especially true for Dig Pink events. Announcing your plans through school networks well in advance is crucial. This gives everyone, including students, parents, and staff, time to get involved. The John Cooper School is a great example. They start planning early and involve students as co-chairs. Alexandra Schoenherr, a Class of 2026 student and Side-Out Ambassador, took leadership after a family diagnosis, turning personal stories into motivation and action.
Early planning doesn't just help with logistics; it also builds ownership. When students are involved from the get-go, they feel a stronger connection to the event. This sense of ownership is vital for creating a tradition that lasts. Early involvement also allows you to coordinate with opponents and other schools to maximize participation and fundraising.
Pro Tip: Kick off planning at the start of the school year. Set a date and begin publicizing in newsletters and on social media to create anticipation.
Student leaders making a difference! Meet Lucy Palmer, Lightridge High School's Dig Pink Ambassador who led her team to raise over $4,100 in their first year - organizing fun runs, creating social media campaigns, and designing outreach materials that reached local news outlets. When challenges arose, Lucy stepped up with creative solutions and inspired her entire program to get involved. Ready to empower your student-athletes as Side-Out Ambassadors? Learn more: http://community.side-out.org/ambassadorprogram/info
Creating Buzz with Themes and Events
Theme your event with pink, pink jerseys, pink decorations, pink everything. This isn't just about aesthetics; it's about unity and visibility. A themed event draws attention and makes participants feel they're part of something bigger.
Consider hosting additional activities to complement the main event. Penn State's Dig Pink game attracted 4,300 fans through not just the match itself but the entire experience. Add elements like raffles, contests, or even a halftime show to make the event memorable. Prizes and incentives are effective too. In 2021, the top fundraisers received Sports Imports equipment. These incentives not only motivate players to engage more deeply but also add a layer of excitement and competition.
Communication is key to building buzz. Keep everyone informed and excited about what's coming up. Use social media, school announcements, and email blasts to keep it fresh in everyone's mind.
Pro Tip: Collaborate with student clubs to expand your event's reach. Art clubs can help with decorations, while drama clubs can organize skits or announcements.
Building Purpose: More Than Just a Game
Dig Pink is about "playing with purpose." It's not just a volleyball game; it's a movement toward bettering the person, not just the player. This holistic approach to team development resonates deeply with players and the community. The purpose behind Dig Pink should be communicated clearly to reinforce why it matters.
Share impactful stories and statistics, like how 1-in-8 women are affected by breast cancer and less than 2% of research funding goes to metastatic cases. These numbers ground the event's purpose in reality and inspire deeper commitment.
Having team members share personal stories or experiences related to breast cancer can also be very impactful. It humanizes the cause and links it directly to the team and community.
Pro Tip: Invite a guest speaker or survivor to share their journey. Personal stories build empathy and connect your team to the cause.
Tracking Impact and Sharing Success
Once your event wraps up, don’t let it fade into memory without sharing its impact. Show the difference your team made. Highlight the funds raised, and exactly where that money is going. For example, directing proceeds to Side-Out’s precision medicine program helps match patients to treatments. This specificity in how the money helps can be a powerful motivator for future involvement.
Celebrate these successes publicly. Share the results through school channels and social media. Recognition not only rewards participants but also sets the stage for next year’s event. People want to be part of something successful.
Tracking impact also helps refine future events. What worked well? What could be improved? Use surveys and feedback to gather this information. Adjust plans to make the next Dig Pink even better.
Pro Tip: Create a highlights video of the event. Visuals of the fun and impact make for compelling content to share and promote future events.
The Power of Consistency
Consistency is key to tradition. Programs like Webster University's have been running for 15 years under Coach Merry Graf. They've raised over $10,000 for Side-Out research. This kind of consistency builds tradition and keeps the community eagerly anticipating the next event.
Commit to making Dig Pink an annual event. Registering with Side-Out each year provides access to resources and support that make the planning process smoother. Plus, consistent participation might earn your team new equipment or other perks.
Consistency also builds a legacy. As older players graduate, they pass on the torch to younger ones, ensuring the tradition continues.
Pro Tip: Document your event each year. Keep records of what you did, what worked, and what didn’t. This makes planning easier as the tradition continues.
Real-Life Examples of Successful Traditions
Many programs have established successful Dig Pink traditions. The John Cooper School has raised over $180,000, directly aiding in personalized care for 85 patients. Their approach of student leadership has turned personal stories into a sustained tradition. Webster University’s annual event continues to highlight the direct impact of funds raised for Side-Out research.
Penn State also stands out by organizing events that attract thousands, turning their Dig Pink game into a spectacle of awareness and support. Meanwhile, NDA Volleyball showed that even smaller programs can make a significant difference, raising nearly $2,000 with just seven donors.
These examples demonstrate that no matter the size or scope of your program, impactful and cherished Dig Pink traditions can be built with dedication and creativity.
Pro Tip: Network with other coaches to share success stories and tips. Learning from others can provide fresh ideas and inspiration for your own events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dig Pink?
Dig Pink is an initiative by the Side-Out Foundation that involves volleyball teams hosting pink-themed games to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research. It’s about uniting communities through volleyball and making a significant impact in the fight against breast cancer.
How can my team start a Dig Pink tradition?
Begin by planning early and involving students in leadership roles. Use themes and incentives to engage the team and community. Track and share the impact of your fundraising to build awareness and motivate future participation.
What resources does Side-Out provide for hosting Dig Pink events?
Side-Out offers planning templates, promotional materials, and access to representatives who can assist you. These resources can simplify organizing and running your event. There is also a new community platform where you can engage with folks just like you.
How can we keep our Dig Pink event fresh each year?
Incorporate new themes, activities, and incentives. Rotate leadership roles to bring fresh ideas into the planning process. Consistency is key, but innovation keeps the tradition exciting.
What kind of impact can a Dig Pink event have?
Funds raised support metastatic breast cancer research and patient care. Programs like Dig Pink have raised over $16 million, making substantial contributions to precision medicine and treatment matching. Each event brings us closer to better outcomes for patients.
Conclusion
Creating Dig Pink traditions that teams look forward to each year involves planning, creativity, and commitment. By starting early, theming your events, and focusing on the cause, you build a meaningful tradition that excites both players and the community. Remember to track your impact and keep the tradition consistent but fresh. Ready to start your own tradition? Visit the Side-Out blog for more resources and inspiration.