KU Men’s Basketball Hosts Fifth Annual Ladies Night Out
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas’ men’s basketball team gave approximately 450 women a taste of being a Jayhawk at the fifth annual “Ladies Night Out” in Allen Fieldhouse to create awareness for breast cancer Thursday.
The event, which has been a sellout every year, benefitted Jayhawks for a Cure and all proceeds were donated to Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH) and the KU Cancer Center in an effort to fund cancer research.
“This event hasn’t grown because we’ve maxed out every year,” KU head coach Bill Self said. “We’ve been able to stay constant and sold out in a day or two this year. It is a great avenue to have some fun and generate a significant amount of money to LMH through Jayhawks for a Cure.”
Following a highlight video featuring the rich tradition of Allen Fieldhouse and Kansas basketball, the women in attendance were treated to introductions by Self who had each 2014-15 Jayhawk introduce himself. Then the staff and players answered questions from the ladies followed by giveaways.
“This is a great cause for breast cancer awareness,” KU junior Jamari Traylor said of his fourth Ladies Night Out. “It’s fun coming out here with these ladies and putting a smile on their faces.”
Self, the players and staff then broke into individual stations where the ladies were taught basketball skills, strength and conditioning training with associate athletics director Andrea Hudy and other basketball activities. The evening also featured an autograph and photo sessions at each stop with the KU players and coaches. Toward the end of the night, the attendees were treated to a tour of the newly renovated men’s basketball locker room.
Ladies Night Out is one of several Jayhawks for the Cure events that takes place throughout the 2014-15 athletic year as part of a campus-wide initiative to bring awareness to cancer research. Student-athletes, coaches and staff work together with the university and the community of Lawrence to raise funds for cancer research at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center.
Sponsors for the 2014 Ladies Night Out included Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 23rd Street Brewery and Kansas Sampler – Rally House.
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