Women’s Basketball Hosts Annual Liver Cancer Awareness Game

When the Wittenberg women’s basketball team takes the court in Pam Evans Smith Arena for a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) game against Kenyon College at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 6, the Tigers will be playing for more than a spot at the top of the league standings.

For the third straight year, Wittenberg women’s basketball has designated a game on its schedule to raise awareness about liver cancer. In addition to wearing special green ribbons, the team will collect donations to go toward cancer research, and special in-game announcements will be provided to educate those in attendance about the disease. Online donations can be made as well.

Most importantly, the game will be played in honor of Eric Baker, the father of team member McKenna Baker ’22, a graduate student at Wittenberg this year. He passed away after a battle with liver cancer during McKenna’s first year as a student at Wittenberg.

“Our Tigers are playing tomorrow with an increased sense of purpose as we are honoring the memory of McKenna’s father, Eric, during this game,” said Head Coach Melissa Kolbe ’99. “While we are dedicating this game to Eric Baker, we want to honor all those who have battled cancer and provide support to all that have been affected by the disease.

“Eric so enjoyed watching McKenna play in a Witt uniform, and I am so thankful that she is able to take the floor again, especially on a day that we will honor Eric.”

Wittenberg enters the game against Kenyon with records of 8-3 overall and 1-0 in the NCAC. Kenyon brings records of 3-10 overall and 1-1 in the league into the contest.