Photo by: AlSamuels.com
Appleman Leads Charge on Pink Out Event Organization
10/4/2023 9:30:00 AM | Volleyball
by Sophia Hartling '24
The life of a student-athlete at the College of Charleston is not one that can be compared to the typical college experience. With practices, travel, a full game schedule and academics to think about, the athletes at The College do not have ample time or energy to place their focus anywhere but on their sport. Therefore, when student-athletes do choose to take on extra engagements, it should not go unnoticed. Emma Appleman is one of the athletes who has chosen to make her volleyball experience more than just the sport itself, she plays for something bigger.
Junior setter Emma Appleman has been a member of the College of Charleston's volleyball team for three years now. Her career prior to becoming a Cougar was also quite notable as Appleman was named Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year as a senior. This award speaks volumes, as she displayed "exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field." After being named CAA Rookie of the Week in 2021, she proceeded to lead the team in assists her sophomore year in 2022.
Last fall, Appleman got involved with organizing a "Pink Out" volleyball game that specifically supported breast cancer research, with the initial goal being to raise awareness. "I think it's something that's super important as a woman in sports to bring awareness to something that's so serious" Appleman stated, when reflecting on what this game and cause means to her.
However, it was not until this season that Appleman decided to team up with the Magee-Womens Research Institute to host a volleyball game. All proceeds made from the game will be donated to the institute. Magee-Womens Cancer and Research Institute is based in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and is the country's largest research institute dedicated exclusively to women's health. Being at the forefront of medicine, Magee was the perfect partner to team up with for this event. Appleman explained that her grandmother is a survivor of both ovarian and skin cancer, this makes her all the more passionate about the cause.
Since the start of the event planning process, Appleman and her teammates have made significant strides in their community outreach. She explained, "each of my teammates has reached out to two to three local businesses to ask for donations, or simply just to spread the word." The donation process has been extremely successful thus far, with several raffle baskets and aid from local businesses including The Carolina Retail Experts, Old Whaling Company, The College of Charleston, as well as Magee Institute. Appleman stated that the goal was to have "businesses that are close to TD, and places on campus that students would be really interested in" to be the leading contributors to the event.
With high hopes the event will be a success, all parties are anticipating this game to become an annual occurrence, "we would love to make this an every year thing" a representative from the institute stated. Appleman added, "I don't want it to end when I leave Charleston. The work that Magee has put in, has shown me how to plan an event, and has made me feel confident in relaying the information to teammates in the future."
Receiving nothing but support from teammates and coaches has allowed for Appleman to grow even more passionate about the cause, "all four of my coaches have reached out to me asking me what they can do, and some have even reached out to local businesses." The game is expected to be an exciting match against Elon Women's Volleyball, and will be played at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 21, 2023, at TD Arena.
Anyone interested in donating can do so with this link.
The life of a student-athlete at the College of Charleston is not one that can be compared to the typical college experience. With practices, travel, a full game schedule and academics to think about, the athletes at The College do not have ample time or energy to place their focus anywhere but on their sport. Therefore, when student-athletes do choose to take on extra engagements, it should not go unnoticed. Emma Appleman is one of the athletes who has chosen to make her volleyball experience more than just the sport itself, she plays for something bigger.
Junior setter Emma Appleman has been a member of the College of Charleston's volleyball team for three years now. Her career prior to becoming a Cougar was also quite notable as Appleman was named Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year as a senior. This award speaks volumes, as she displayed "exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field." After being named CAA Rookie of the Week in 2021, she proceeded to lead the team in assists her sophomore year in 2022.
Last fall, Appleman got involved with organizing a "Pink Out" volleyball game that specifically supported breast cancer research, with the initial goal being to raise awareness. "I think it's something that's super important as a woman in sports to bring awareness to something that's so serious" Appleman stated, when reflecting on what this game and cause means to her.
However, it was not until this season that Appleman decided to team up with the Magee-Womens Research Institute to host a volleyball game. All proceeds made from the game will be donated to the institute. Magee-Womens Cancer and Research Institute is based in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and is the country's largest research institute dedicated exclusively to women's health. Being at the forefront of medicine, Magee was the perfect partner to team up with for this event. Appleman explained that her grandmother is a survivor of both ovarian and skin cancer, this makes her all the more passionate about the cause.
Since the start of the event planning process, Appleman and her teammates have made significant strides in their community outreach. She explained, "each of my teammates has reached out to two to three local businesses to ask for donations, or simply just to spread the word." The donation process has been extremely successful thus far, with several raffle baskets and aid from local businesses including The Carolina Retail Experts, Old Whaling Company, The College of Charleston, as well as Magee Institute. Appleman stated that the goal was to have "businesses that are close to TD, and places on campus that students would be really interested in" to be the leading contributors to the event.
With high hopes the event will be a success, all parties are anticipating this game to become an annual occurrence, "we would love to make this an every year thing" a representative from the institute stated. Appleman added, "I don't want it to end when I leave Charleston. The work that Magee has put in, has shown me how to plan an event, and has made me feel confident in relaying the information to teammates in the future."
Receiving nothing but support from teammates and coaches has allowed for Appleman to grow even more passionate about the cause, "all four of my coaches have reached out to me asking me what they can do, and some have even reached out to local businesses." The game is expected to be an exciting match against Elon Women's Volleyball, and will be played at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 21, 2023, at TD Arena.
Anyone interested in donating can do so with this link.
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