Ladyjacks, Lumberjacks "Goin' to Bat for Burney"
3/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 27, 2007
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin softball and baseball teams will share a weekend at home for the first time this season when the two teams take on Central Arkansas this weekend. They'll also share a common corner in the fight against a disease that has affected a family with ties to both squads.
The Ladyjacks and Lumberjacks will both participate in a day full of activities aimed at raising money and awareness for the battle against Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The event, dubbed "Goin' to Bat for Burney," is being put on in honor of Ladyjack Krystil Burney, who is taking the year off from softball while she recovers from her bout with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Krystil's brother, Justin, is a member of the Lumberjack baseball team.
Burney was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in the spring of 2005. After undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, Burney returned to the Ladyjack roster for the spring season in 2006 with the cancer in remission. But the disease returned late in the season, and Burney endured another round of radiation and chemo while waiting for a bone marrow transplant. Thankfully, she found a donor match in a 21-year-old German man and received the bone marrow transplant in the fall of 2006. Since then, Burney's health has steadily improved, with no sign, as of yet, that the cancer will return.
Burney will be in attendance this weekend for SFA's games against Central Arkansas, when both the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks will sport special lime green jerseys in her honor. Lime green is the color associated with the fight against Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The Central Arkansas softball team has agreed to have its players wear lime green ribbons in their hair and lime green laces in their shoes.
As part of the weekend's events, Burney will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Ladyjacks' series opener against Central Arkansas on Saturday. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. start. She will also deliver the first pitch in the Lumberjacks' game at 2 p.m. Her brother, Justin, will be on the receiving end of that pitch.
Saturday, there will also be numerous ways to contribute to the fight against Hodgkin's Lymphoma, as well as the chance for SFA fans to win some fantastic prizes. The Blood Center of East Texas will be taking donations from its mobile unit all day Saturday. The vehicle will be parked in the west lot closest to Loop 224. All donors will receive a free SFA T-shirt. Fans will be able to make donations by cash or check at a table outside the Hoya Field press box.
Prizes up for grabs include a hand-made afghan and quilt and a new car from Rex Perry Autoplex. The afghan, donated by SFA outfielder Kendal Harper, and the quilt, made by Lori Dunn, mother of Ladyjack assistant coach Mimi Randolph, will be raffled off after the second game of Saturday's doubleheader. Tickets will be available for purchase outside the Hoya Field press box during both games. Fourteen lucky fans will have a chance to win the new car. Fans can sign up for a drawing during the first game of the doubleheader. Between Games 1 and 2, 14 names will be drawn as finalists in the contest. The finalists will then roll a set of five oversized dice labeled with letters, in attempt to spell "JACKS." If a competitor spells out Jacks, he or she will win the new car.
For more information on this weekend's events, download the attached flyer or contact SFA assistant softball coach Mimi Randolph at (936) 468-6243.
-- SFA --
