Panthers not the only opponent Saturday as Tech women set for ThinkPink / Play4Kay contest
February 6, 2026

Panthers not the only opponent Saturday as Tech women set for ThinkPink / Play4Kay contest

As Tennessee Tech women’s basketball suits up for Saturday’s contest against Eastern Illinois, it won’t be in the traditional colors of Purple and Gold. Instead, with their minds on those in their lives affected by cancer as the team hosts its annual ThinkPink and Play4Kay game, the Panthers won’t be the only thing the Golden Eagles are looking to defeat. Tipoff from the Eblen Center is at 1 PM Saturday. Saturday’s game will honor those who have been affected by all forms of cancer, as every member of the Golden Eagle women’s basketball program will be playing, coaching or serving in honor of someone dear to them who has been impacted by the disease.

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As Tennessee Tech women's basketball suits up for Saturday's contest against Eastern Illinois, it won't be in the traditional colors of Purple and Gold. Instead, with their minds on those in their lives affected by cancer as the team hosts its annual ThinkPink and Play4Kay game, the Panthers won't be the only thing the Golden Eagles are looking to defeat.

Tipoff from the Eblen Center is at 1 PM Saturday.

Saturday's game will honor those who have been affected by all forms of cancer, as every member of the Golden Eagle women's basketball program will be playing, coaching or serving in honor of someone dear to them who has been impacted by the disease.

The team will be wearing pink uniforms to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer, as well as support for other forms of the disease.

They will also don pink warmups with a ribbon design on the sleeve to honor Tracy Pelphrey and her current fight against cancer.

Fans are encouraged to stop by the table in the Eblen Center lobby to write the name of a loved one impacted by cancer on one of the "I Play 4" cards.

The Play4Kay initiative is in honor of legendary N.C. State women's basketball head coach Kay Yow, who fought a 22-year battle with breast cancer until her passing in 2009.

Coach Yow was passionate about uniting the nation of coaches, players and the women's basketball community to do something for the greater good that far exceeds wins and losses on the court. The Play4Kay campaign was born in 2007 and continues to grow as it raises funds to support women's cancer research. To date, the fund has allocated more than $5 million towards this goal.

Tickets can be purchased by calling (931) 372-3940, visiting the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or ordering online at TTUsports.com. Donations can be made to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund at kayyow.com/play4kay. 

For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, visit kayyow.com.

The Golden Eagle team members will be honoring the following:

 

Team Member Name 

Honoree Name 

Relation 

Kim Rosamond 

Tracy Pelphrey 

Coach John Pelphrey's Wife 

Melanie Walls 

Zack Coleman 

Father of Mackenzie Coleman-Pelphrey (Former TTU WBB Player) 

Allison Clark 

Jake Davis 

Family Friend 

Sydney Gouard 

Evelyn Ponder 

Great Grandma 

Lilly Bridges 

Debbie Bridges 

Mother 

Connor Wilkerson 

Judy Stem 

Family Friend 

Hannah Gomez 

Jessica Bruner 

Family Friend 

Matt Hewett 

Angie Hewett 

Stepmother 

Reagan Hurst 

Flonnie Cooper 

Family Friend of Shaela Garrett 

Reghan Grimes 

Barbara Grimes 

Grandmother 

Cam Mathews 

Amy Clapp 

Family Friend 

Amaya Thomas 

Brenda Thomas 

Grandmother 

Chloe Larry 

Willie Larry 

Grandfather 

Amelia Pfeiffer 

Heather Lipscombe 

Aunt 

Maddy Newman 

Wanda Newman 

Grandmother 

Angelika Girgenson 

Tamara Girgenson 

Grandmother 

LaReesha Cawthorn 

Shernita Collins 

Grandmother 

Amaya Redd 

Sharon Lyons 

Aunt 

Lyriq Mastin 

Faye Cannon 

Aunt 

Sofi Miller 

Tammy Hall 

Aunt 

Shaela Garrett 

Mickey Ledbetter 

Father 

Ainsley Pfeiffer 

Carla Reel 

Grandmother 

Caden Swann 

Gail Swann 

Grandmother 

Jerrica Owens 

Elsie Manley 

Grandmother