Silent No More - 2010

"Silent No More - Ovarian Cancer Awareness 2010"

In Honor of St. Cloud State's #9 Kelly Laas

St. Cloud, Minn. – The 2010 St. Cloud State softball team promoted Ovarian Cancer Awareness on Saturday, May 1st, at historic Selke Field, as part of their last regular season weekend.

“Our last regular season weekend was an extraordinary event with all 14 teams in conference, their coaches, players, sports information directors and fans supporting the "Silent No More, Ovarian Cancer Awareness 2010" promotion,” said SCSU’s 13th-year head coach Paula U’Ren.

The “Silent No More – Ovarian Cancer Awareness 2010” promotion honored St. Cloud State’s junior right fielder Kelly Laas, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in late February. In a joint effort with the softball teams across the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Huskies were able to raise nearly $2,000 to be donated to the American Cancer Society in honor of SCSU’s Kelly Laas and ovarian cancer research.

“St. Cloud State’s volunteer softball coach Kelli Frieler and St. Cloud State Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director Celest Stang spear-headed an amazing weekend of events and promotions in support of Kelly Laas and Ovarian Cancer Awareness,” said U’Ren.  “I can't thank the other NSIC coaches and SID's enough for their support of our player Kelly Laas. Every team in the conference, and all hosting head coaches, jumped on board when we put forth the idea of the "Ovarian Cancer Awareness Weekend." Even though it was one of the busiest weekends of the year, no one hesitated to support this cause.  At all the NSIC games last weekend, fans were extremely generous in their support and filled buckets to be donated to the American Cancer Society. The biggest honor was that all the NSIC softball teams either wore teal bracelets or teal ribbons in support of our player.”

The team was over-joyed to see Kelly walk back into Selke Field with her parents.

Kelly Laas was introduced with the team during the line-ups before the game.

The Huskies had a full day of events last Saturday, May 1st. Before the start of the doubleheader against Augustana, St. Cloud State honored its three seniors in Heather Trobec, Kaity Strever and Lizzy Dwyer.

During the games, the Huskies sold teal bracelets and teal t-shirts and also collected donations for the American Cancer Society.  St. Cloud State softball parents also grilled donated hot dogs from Minnesota Gold and Menea's Meat (Sauk Rapids) during the games for the fans!

Following the Augie twinbill, St. Cloud State players Lizzy Dwyer and Kelly Olson partook in a very emotional “hair cutting ceremony.” SCSU’s own #9 Kelly Laas had the honors of cutting more than 10 inches of hair from both Dwyer and Olson, which the two have donated to the “Locks of Love Foundation.”

Kelly Laas posing with Kelly Olson and Lizzy Dwyer before cutting their hair at home plate.

“Having Kelly Laas and her family back on Saturday was very emotional for our team…it was amazing to finally be able to see our “#9” again!” said U’Ren.  “To see Kelly come into Selke Field with her parents and to witness the players run to her in support, is a true example of what this team is all about.  It has been a tough season for us record wise, but I couldn't be any more proud of this group of individuals for all the perseverance this team has showed.  They showed true character this season, not for what they did on the ball field, but off.  This team was willing to do whatever they could for their teammate Kelly (Laas), as Lizzy Dwyer and Kelly Olson showed with cutting over a combined 23 inches of hair to donate to "Locks of Love," added U’Ren.

 

The day wrapped up with an entertaining Homerun Derby. The Huskies accepted donations from 15 fans to participate in the Homerun Derby. The winner of the Homerun Derby took home a $50 gift card from Eastbay, which was donated by #7 Emily Edgerton’s father Scott Edgerton.

Jesse Scheidecker, a student athletic trainer, hit eight homeruns to win the Homerun Derby.

“We fought all season long through adversity and hardship and never used excuses,” said U’Ren. “Our team looks forward to Kelly Laas getting healthy and pray for a quick recovery. Thank you again to everyone for your strength and support of Kelly and her family!

All donations were greatly appreciated and are going towards the American Cancer Society in honor of St. Cloud State’s Kelly Laas and ovarian cancer research.

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