The Big Ten volleyball teams are stealing the spotlight, whether they’re battling it out on the court or teaming up off it. With 18 amazing teams filled with talented young athletes, they’re definitely bringing their A-game in matches. But it doesn’t stop there; these teams are coming together to make a difference in their communities. Recently, Abbott and the Big Ten Conference kicked off “The We Give Blood Drive,” a fun competition to see which university can collect the most blood donations during a major blood shortage. And that’s not all!

The teams are also wearing pink jerseys to raise awareness, standing together for an important cause and tradition that dates back to the early 2000s. Some teams have already shown off their pink gear, while others are planning to join in soon. So, why are the ladies wearing pink, and which teams have already rocked the pink jerseys?

The Pink wave takes over the Big Ten volleyball games

Get ready for a wave of pink! Six Big Ten volleyball teams are all in for the spirited ‘Play for Pink’ match. Kicking things off, the No. 7-ranked Michigan volleyball team faced off against now No. 3-ranked Wisconsin on October 20, but unfortunately fell in four sets. However, the night was about more than just the score; Michigan honored breast cancer survivors, who waved to the crowd from the court. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in 2024 alone, over 340,000 people have been diagnosed. It’s not just about slapping on some pink and calling it a day—the goal is to actually raise awareness about risk factors, research, and how we can help fund a cure. Colleges across the U.S. have jumped on board with Pink Games, spanning a variety of sports—and not just volleyball!

This tradition has been going strong since the University of Alabama kicked off its pink matches in 2007. Fast forward to now, and it’s still a major event. But this year, the message hits a little closer to home as well. On Thursday, October 17, Penn State’s head volleyball coach, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, took to Instagram to share some tough news: her own breast cancer diagnosis.

Schumacher-Cawley is in her third season leading the Nittany Lions after serving as an assistant coach for four years. She posted, “Recently, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This news has been a lot to process, and as you can imagine, it has brought a range of emotions. But I’m approaching this with strength, determination, and an unwavering sense of hope. We will draw inspiration from the many people in our lives that have battled cancer and have emerged victorious.” Reflecting on this special endeavor, it’s heartwarming to see the Big Ten Conference making such a powerful impact. But hey, it’s not just Michigan Volleyball and Wisconsin going pink!

More Big Ten volleyball teams go pink!

The second team to join the pink parade? That would be the Nebraska Huskers! After a thrilling five-set match against now No. 5 Purdue, they swept Rutgers 25-15, 25-16, and 25-12, boosting their record to 16-1 and keeping them unbeaten in Big Ten volleyball. But it wasn’t just about the win; it was “Pink Night at The Bob!” The Huskers honored brave breast cancer survivors with heartfelt tributes and rocked pink sleeves, turning the court into a vibrant sea of pink. Their powerful message? “We all fight together!”

And there’s more! Creighton Volleyball is also stepping up to show their support, and it’s not just the players getting in on the action. The entire audience joined in, donning pink to honor breast cancer survivors, embodying the spirit of solidarity with the powerful message that it’s “Bigger than all of us.” And the wave of support just keeps rolling in; it does not end there!

On Friday night, October 18, Ohio’s volleyball team held their Pink Game for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Even though the Bobcats fought hard, they ended up losing to Ball State in a five-set thriller. But that didn’t stop their fans from showing up in full pink gear, making the atmosphere super lively!

Coach Geoff Carlston rocked a pink dress shirt with a pink ribbon—symbolizing breast cancer awareness—and talked about why events like this matter. He said, “I think it’s always good to have the awareness. I mean, my father passed away from cancer, and… I don’t think there’s anyone that’s not been impacted (by cancer).”

Just yesterday, a packed Rec Hall buzzed with excitement as the crowd came together, draped in pink, to spotlight October’s vital cause: breast cancer awareness. The stands were a sea of pink hats, glasses, and shakers, perfectly matching Penn State’s alternate uniforms for this special annual event. “Having all those people behind us really helps against these tough opponents,” shared Izzy Starck.

The now No. 2 Nittany Lions turned the now No. 9 Golden Gophers into silver after a fierce showdown, sweeping Minnesota in three sets during their heartfelt “Dig Pink” match. Since 2018, the Nittany Lions have been rocking pink gear and accessories to celebrate their heartwarming “Dig Pink” match, which shines a spotlight on their annual partnership with the Side-Out Foundation. With all these teams stepping up and many more probably gearing up to join in, they’re sending a powerful message to the community about unity and support, proving that they can stand together despite their on-court rivalries.