It started with a simple e-mail, sent out to 5,000 boosters and coaches across the country.
The message was short, asking only one thing: Wear pink at all women's basketball games during the second week in February.
It was a humble beginning to what has grown to be one of the largest charitable functions in NCAA sports. In just its second year, Think Pink Day is a time where women's athletic programs and fans gather together to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness.
Last year, 120 schools took part in the cause, including Penn State. The women's basketball team donned pink jerseys during its Feb. 4 match against Wisconsin, while sights of pink shirts and assorted souvenirs blanketed the arena stands.
And when the Lady Lions (13-10, 4-7 Big Ten) serve as host for a noon matchup Sunday against Iowa, more than 800 schools, and thousands of fans around the country will have rallied in support, including Kansas City Chiefs star Larry Johnson. The former Nittany Lion running back will be in attendance to sign autographs and take pictures, with all proceeds going toward the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).
"This is a cause that touches people in so many different ways," said Summer McKesson, Director of Communications for the WBCA.
"The WBCA is so humbled [at the growth of the organization]. It gives coaches the opportunity to step beyond the court and help out."
While this will be the second year the Penn State women's basketball team will take part in the Think Pink events, the celebration and emotion displayed this weekend will be a first for Lady Lion coach Coquese Washington.
In just her first season as coach in Happy Valley, Washington has already become a huge supporter of Think Pink Day, posing in inspirational television commercials, asking fans to come to Sunday's game draped in pink attire.
And though it will be her job to make sure her team is ready to fight against the Hawkeyes on the court, Washington knows there is a much bigger and gripping battle happening off of it.
"I remember last year seeing the highlights of the Penn State game and thinking, 'Man, that's cool with the pink jerseys,' " Washington said. "It's really an event here for us which I think makes it special, and the fans and the community really embrace it as an event.
"The day is important for everybody."
While millions of Americans are affected personally by this deadly disease, arguably no one has seen firsthand the emotional ties an event like this can have closer than McKesson. Scanning through countless e-mails each week, some support stories, others sob stories, McKesson recalled one message in particular, one which she feels truly captures the reasons behind Think Pink Day.
The story was from a 6-year-old girl who had only one wish. Instead of receiving any presents for her upcoming seventh birthday, all she wanted was money to be donated to the WBCA. A selfless and heart-warming gesture that has McKesson truly appreciating the impact behind the fight against breast cancer.
"You know how kids are at that age," she said. "If she can get beyond that on her birthday, it really shows just how much compassion there is for this cause."
From a basketball standpoint, Sunday's game for the Lady Lions will be their chance to snap a XXXX game losing streak, and the opportunity to make a late-season run up the Big Ten standings. And while the 6,000 fans expected to attend will be rooting for blue and white, everyone in the arena and around the country will be cheering for another color -- pink.
