Mitch Ballock goes up for a layup in the 2019-20 Pink Out Game (Juszyk / WBR)
When the Pink Out game was introduced by Creighton and head men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott in 2011, it definitely created a different spin to the game. Players wore pink jerseys and pink shoes, fans wore pink, and the arena lost its blue for one evening as the basketball program and fans stood up for the fight against and have shown their spirit. Over the years, the game has continued to be one of the most inspirational games of the season with everyone holding up their cards to show the world who they remember, support, and continue to carry on.
This season, amongst a global pandemic, the Pink Out game and funds raised to fight the battle against cancer continued on. While there were not as many fans in the stands as usual on Wednesday night, the arena was still full of pink and those in attendance kept the candle burning. Since there were not as many fans in the stands and yet we all want to share our stories, WBR reached out to our loyal readers and anyone else to submit their stories and why this game continues to be more to everyone. Thus, we share with you the stories from the stands. They all speak for themselves.
“The pinkout game always means so much to me to see all of those affected by Cancer. My grandpa, Poppi, was a long time season ticket holder and graduate of Creighton Law (1969) passed away from a short battle of cancer. So many people have loved ones fighting this battle, or have someone whom they’ve lost, so this means a lot to see the emotion behind the Creighton Pink Out game.”
– Cale Ferrin
“This game has always meant a lot to us and the whole Omaha and Creighton community. It is an amazing time to come together to raise awareness of cancer and to all stand up together in this fight.
Thanks to our fellow season ticket-holder that sits next to us and has become a great friend to our family it has meant even more. 3 years ago, my son was diagnosed with cancer. While it is incredibly hard to hear that your 2 year old son has cancer, we used this to strengthen our family and really have met so many great people as a result. The support we have received has been tremendous.
I am extremely happy to report that my son has been in remission for just over 2 years now. I think I shared our story on here then, but the above-mentioned season ticket-holder wrote a message to Bruce Rasmussen, who reached out to offer us a great night sitting with the Creighton team, behind the scenes tour of the media and locker room and even hearing that Coach McDermott used my son during a speech as motivation for the team that night brought tears to my eyes”
-Scott Stronck
Head Coach Greg McDermott coaches from the sidelines in the 2019-20 Pink Out game (Williams / WBR)
“This is one that brings me tears as I always hold a sign up for my Dad (Bill) who passed away 15 Feb 2016 on his birthday from esophageal cancer which we believe was caused due the chemicals used during the Vietnam war. He loved the Jays from afar in Utah and wanted badly to make it out to a game but never got the chance as travelling during the winter was not that great of an idea for him and he never wanted to fly. He would wear a Jays shirt each time they were playing and of course would call me to let me know what they did wrong in a win or a lose
I will say this about my dad, when he was diagnosed in 2003 they told him he had about a year to live, but he beat those odds and stayed with us 13 more years. The Dr always told him whatever it is you’re doing, keep doing it, and we would say it must be the whiskey 🙂 LOL plus he always kept himself busy doing things.
CANCER SUCKS
I followed in his footsteps and did 20 years of service also.
Thank you for doing this.”
-Steve Stimson
“Thinking of my friend Rita, a Creighton sports fan, who was with us this time last year”
-Jo Peterson
Marcus Zegarowski drives against Xavier in the 2019-20 Pink Out game (Juszyk / WBR)
“While I will be one of the lucky ones in attendance tomorrow night, I still wanted to share what the pink out game means to me and how great a community like Bluejay fans are when it comes to supporting a great cause.
My family like a lot of families have had to deal with tragic cancer stories but also have survivor stories based on the excellent care they received here in Omaha. I tragically lost all my grandparents to cancer in various forms and my mother is in her final stages of life even though she survived breast cancer once, a year ago she was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer that has now spread to her brain making her case terminal. However she wouldn’t have been with us the past year or so if it weren’t for the care she received while battling through chemo and radiation. We also lost my mother in law about 12 years ago to lung cancer as well.
But we also get to celebrate my step-mom being a breast cancer survivor along with an aunt.
It brings tears to my eyes to see a large group of people wear pink, raise money and say enough is enough. It also brings me hope that a group of 18-22 year old young men realize that what they are doing is more than just a game and by donating a little bit of their time and wearing a pink jersey and pink shoes gives way more back to the community that loves to support them.
The pink out game is more than a game, more than an event, it’s about opening your heart and sometimes your wallet to a bigger cause and supporting our community.”
-Erin Bueltel
“For a couple of years I tried to get a jersey to honor my friend and classmate Michelle Dupuy, but the bidding got out of hand. Tried again the 2014-15 year and we were the winning bid for Will Artino’s jersey. It was a very special night that we reminisce about every year. So much emotion that night. Really didn’t even care about the game.
Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer just a few years after graduation and then two recurrences over the next 30 years. Michelle is the ultimate “glue guy” for our class. We can’t wait to celebrate our 40th class reunion this year – hopefully in person this fall.”
-April Shaughnessy
The Creighton Dance Team wears pink at the game as well (Juszyk / WBR)
“We lost our fellow seatmate, Tony Schuetz, to cancer back in 2015. I had known Tony for more than 20 years, as my mother taught 5th grade alongside him at Rumsey Station (Papillion) for the majority of my lifetime. Growing up, I knew Tony was a Creighton fan – but it never dawned on me that he had season tickets and was an avid fan. Once I moved out of my parent’s house to attend college at UNO, I became obsessed with Creighton hoops for some reason and would attend the games because I was so much closer to the arena.
My mother eventually told Tony that I was going by myself and proceeded to offer for me to sit alongside them in their seats, as they had been season ticket holders for a number of years. After some thought, and saving some cash, I accepted his offer and joined him and his family in my now beloved home of Section 229. My first season sitting with Tony and the 229 squad was in 2011 – Doug’s sophomore season. Over the next three years, we would build a great friendship. Not only with him, but his family. Brock (his son), Durnae (his wife), Brier and Dan (his daughter and son in law) – they’ve become part of my family. We never missed a game during that stretch. We watched it all and loved every moment of it. The best part of it – Tony usually had a beer waiting for me. He was a really giving dude and really enjoyed making other people happy — and he loved his Bluejays. The amount of memories we made during those seasons are some that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Sadly, Tony got sick and passed away at the end of the 2015 season. We’ve continued on the tradition of buying season tickets and we rarely ever miss games. Tony was a great friend, teacher, dad, and husband. Our Section 229 family misses him quite a bit on game day and I often think about what he would think about the program in its current state, we’ve come along way since he was last at the CHI Health Center. We honor him with a beer each Pink Out game, this year we are doing it from afar. We miss you, Tony!”
As Tony would often say, “Come on Jay’s!””
– Section 229 Family (Austin, Blake, Brock, Dan, Durnae, and Brier)
“Just lost our daughter to cancer. She was only 54, Kim. Also, I had cancer and am a survivor of 23 years, Geri. GO JAYS!”
-Myron Anthony
This game has been really cool from the beginning, and I have participated like everyone else. However last season, it took on new meaning. During the summer of 2019, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Following 2 months of radiation treatments, I was ready to return to games without missing any. I stood in awe last year, this time for me. I saved my sign and will pull it out tonight as I watch the game on TV. What a cool thing Creighton has done. Go Jays!
-D Hanen
A scrum on the floor during the 2019-20 season Pink Out game (Juszyk / WBR)
“Pink Out is a reminder for everyone (including me) of the power we have when we rally together. When we leave our egos (and differences) at the door and realize the difference we can make TOGETHER. I personally have the privilege each year to sit down with representatives from CHI Health and Methodist to discuss their partnership with the annual Pink Out. We talk about what we can do TOGETHER to continue this awesome event. They set aside their differences which is an awesome example for us all.
Everyone has been affected in some way by cancer – my family, your family, our neighbors families. My Dad has always said to me “If you think you have it rough, look around.” … Pink Out reminds all of us to rally together and support those who are suffering and in need. The support does NOT always have to be financial … it can be as simple as being kind. Remember that often others are fighting battles we know nothing about.
Go Jays!”
-Tim Callahan
This is a game that my son and I have never missed since we became season ticket holders until this year. For him, early on, it was about the excitement of the game, the poster and the shirt. The last game, it changed. He lost his grandpa to cancer. He saw this fun loving, boisterous man wither away on a hospital bed due to this vicious disease.
When he got the paper and pen, his hand shook as he wrote his grandpa’s name. When the time came to hold up his sign, this 14 year old broke down and wept. He understood the loss. He also then understood that one never forgets the pain but that you must mix in hope. Hope that someday, sometime that there will be a cure. Hope that someday there will be no cancer, no pain. less loss.
That there will always be hope
-BigRedTank (from Bluejay Underground message board)
The pink out is more than a game for my family and I. My mother, Kate, passed away in November of 2011 of breast cancer that metastasized to other parts of her body. She never missed a game and loved her Bluejays as much as any alum or fan out there.
Seeing the arena covered in pink for such a worthy cause always sends chills up my spine and gives me goosebumps. It is so touching when everyone gets up from their seat at the under 12 timeout of the second half and shares their person of who they are standing up for. It was hard the first few times at the game with some tears shed during this moment but as time has passed it has made me reminisce about all those fun times we had at Jays games near and far while she was alive. The Bluejay family is such a strong community and I always appreciate certain people who reach out to me to say they are still thinking of my family and I after the stand up moment. It never goes unnoticed and is always appreciated! You know who you are!
We have had two times where we had my mom’s name was on the back of shooting shirts. One was offered to us by some very kind family friends a few years back and the other I split with a buddy last year who was gracious enough to let me put her name on the back of the shirt.
While this year’s game will be a bit strange without a packed arena, the fight to end cancer must continue. I hope others can be lucky enough to have their loved ones cured of cancer but I am thankful that the pink out is always a nice reminder of my Mom and the courageous battle she fought.
Go Jays!
-Chris Kestel
The pink out game has always been the favorite game of the year for my kids. They love seeing all the pink in the crowd, the moving tribute when we all stand and hold our signs and the overall special atmosphere the day brings. When my Mom was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2017 and passed away in 2018, the meaning of the pink out game transformed for our family. We now have a different perspective of the devastating impact of cancer, a stronger appreciation for all the doctors and nurses that dedicate their lives to helping their patients, and a deeper sense of empathy for anyone dealing with cancer or supporting a loved one through their fight. I hope someday soon we can find a cure so that others don’t have to suffer the heartache that we went through.
-Eric Sandquist
“I had a friend die at age 38 on New Years Eve, 2019. She got gallbladder cancer that went to her liver and was inoperable. F*** cancer!”
-Durango Jay (from Bluejay Underground Message Board)
“As someone who works for the American Cancer Society here in Omaha, I wanted to share how this effort by Creighton University, its coaches, players and fans affects real patients. Many are aware, but many are not, that this Pinkout game and fundraising supports the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge facility here in Omaha. Hope Lodge is a home away from home for cancer patients who must travel and utilize long-term lodging while they receive cancer treatments. Most of these guests are accompanied by a caregiver, friend, or family member who can stay with the patient throughout the stay.
Damien Jefferson goes up for a shot against Xavier in the 2019-20 Pink Out (Williams / WBR)
But the best part? It’s free to the patient and the caregiver. Regardless of an ability to pay, the Hope Lodge is 100% free. We’ve had patients who have stayed 3, 6, even 9 months at various Hope Loge facilities. And all because of donors. The financial burden of a cancer diagnosis only compounds the emotional toll it takes on a patient and their family. So it’s important for Pinkout game fans to realize that by donating and supporting the American Cancer Society, you’re supporting the opportunity for a patient to receive treatment that they may have otherwise declined due to the cost of travel and lodging. And we know that when patients have access to good healthcare, their chances of early detection and survival are so much higher.
The American Cancer Society funds life-saving research (almost $800,000 right here in Nebraska), provides rides and lodging through Hope Lodge and partner hotels, and has services available in EVERY community 24 hours a day…365 days a year. So donate to remember someone you’ve lost, donate to honor someone you know that’s battling cancer, and donate to help people in your community that you might not ever meet. You all are truly making a difference. Thank you for taking up the fight with us!
Go Jays!”
-David Joekel
“The pink out game has always been the favorite game of the year for my kids. They love seeing all the pink in the crowd, the moving tribute when we all stand and hold our signs and the overall special atmosphere the day brings. When my Mom was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2017 and passed away in 2018, the meaning of the pink out game transformed for our family. We now have a different perspective of the devastating impact of cancer, a stronger appreciation for all the doctors and nurses that dedicate their lives to helping their patients, and a deeper sense of empathy for anyone dealing with cancer or supporting a loved one through their fight. I hope someday soon we can find a cure so that others don’t have to suffer the heartache that we went through.
My daughter and I will be at the game tomorrow but I imagine it will feel quite different without having 18k fans packed in the building.”
–cr8onbb (from Bluejay Underground Message Board)
“Every year I feature three people on my “I Stand For” card at the Pinkout game.
Christian is my youngest son (now 17). He is a leukemia survivor. In fact the day we found out about his illness was the same day I was officially offered the job to become Creighton’s new men’s basketball radio announcer. A day I’ll never forget.
Piv is, of course, our dear friend Steve Pivovar. That baseball, which was an effort spearheaded by his children, still travels in the radio case with me (when we are allowed to travel) to every Creighton game.
Michael Tellado is a friend we discovered on Facebook when my son was sick. He was a little boy from Florida who was ravaged by cancer and other issues due to his compromised immune system. Thanks to some friends in Philadelphia, he and his parents were able to move there for the specialty treatment he required. Four years ago, when CU was visiting Villanova, I got to meet Michael and his family. He was a great little kid with a special spirit. Sadly, he passed away a few short months later. ”
-John Bishop
“Thank you for allowing me to share my story. I’m an 8 year breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed three weeks after the Pink Out in 2013. My husband and I, along with my parents, have had Creighton tickets for over 15 years. We began bringing our daughters to the games as infants. The first picture below is three weeks before my diagnosis. I was 34 years old at the time. Needless to say, the diagnosis was quite a shock. We actually received the diagnosis two days prior to the last MVC tournament and still traveled to St. Louis, with our oldest daughter. I had 3 surgeries, 20 weeks of chemo and 33 radiation treatments. We are very fortunate in the fact that we had such amazing support, not only from our family and friends, but also from those close to us in our season ticket seats, whom have now become dear friends. We were also introduced to Coach McDermott and Tre who were supportive to us behind the scenes, without any kind of recognition for doing so. They simply helped us by making suggestions or allowing questions about traveling this journey with a young family.
In 2014, my husband, Travis, my dad, Jerry and I were fortunate enough to celebrate our journey at the Big East tournament.
Since then, the Pink Out has always meant more. We are very fortunate that cancer is just a small piece of our lives and as we’ve watched many walk similar paths, and unfortunately, not always the same outcomes, we try to always remember how fortunate we are.
On Wednesday night, as every year, we will be in section 113, and will stand (and cry) and remember to not take a single day for granted. Below are a few pictures of our journey. Thank you.”
-Sheri French
(Stage 3a breast cancer survivor x 8 years)
Go Jays!