Worcester, MA --- Worcester State head women's basketball coach Karen Tessmer recently took part in the Kay Yow Cancer Fund program, the "Cold Water Challenge" this past week at her girls basketball camp.
The "Cold Water Challenge", which is also being known by its twitter handle #chillin4charity, is a new out-of-season initiative started in the middle of June by the coaching staff at the University of Arizona in an effort to raise money to help support breast cancer awareness and research.
Individual edicts among coaches, assistant coaches, student-athletes, athletic trainers, sports information directors and other athletics professionals have spread like wildfire across the country and participation has not been limited to just the women's basketball world.
Head coaches who accept the challenge must donate $50 to the Kay Yow Fund and have a bucket of water doused on their head while those who decline must pay $250.
Tessmer was called out by Babson head coach Judy Blinstrub to participate on Friday, July 11. She officially responded on Monday, July 21 by having two former WSU women's basketball players, Meaghan O'Keefe (on the left) and Michel'le St. Pierre (right) pour 10 gallons of freezing water at the tail end of the first day of her annual summer camp.
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In the video to the left, Tessmer called out four coaches - Jean Willi and Cyndi Justice of Bridgewater College, Shirley Egner of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Pat Manning of Williams.
Last month, former Worcester State assistant coach Katy Howard also participated as she had been challenged by Assumption College associate head women's basketball coach Sue Cahill on June 24.
For assistant coaches, accepted challenges are $25 for completing the task and a $100 if not accepted. In her video, Howard challenged three MASCAC head women's basketball coaches Andrea Bertini of Westfield State, Bridgett Casey of Bridgewater State and Michelle Cunningham of Salem State. To date, only Bertini has accepted the challenge.
Howard, who was on the club as an assistant coach last season, recently accepted a new full-time assistant opportunity at Carnegie Mellon.
Under the direction of Tessmer, the Lancers look to qualify for their 25th consecutive MASCAC Tournament. As she was doused with water, Tessmer wore her "Think Pink" t-shirt to symbolize her participation in the annual "Play4Kay" game to help raise money for the Kay Yow Fund.
About The "Cold Water Challenge" By Arizona Head Coach Niya Butts
Fullcourt.com Article On The "Cold Water Challenge"
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