Football 101 for Women will return for its ninth edition — this time, in an exciting new partnership with the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center.
Football 101 provides women with the chance to learn about the game, rub shoulders with Badger players and coaches and help assist the UW Carbone Cancer Center in the fight against cancer.
Attendees will have the opportunity to get out on the field and participate in drills with UW coaches and players, have a question-and-answer session with players and a tour of Camp Randall Stadium.
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Football 101 for Women has been a great success in its first eight years, selling out each time. Last year’s event saw 300 women participate and more than $54,000 raised. This year’s event will be held Wednesday, June 20 at Camp Randall Stadium and registration is currently open with tickets available for $90.
It’s an annual event many eagerly mark down on their calendars, and not only the women. It excites many within UW football and the wider community as well.
“This has become something our players and staff look forward to every year,” UW head coach Paul Chryst said when speaking to UW Athletics. “It’s a fun time for everyone, but what really makes it great is the chance to team up with Carbone to make a real impact on people in our community who are affected by cancer.”
UW Carbone Cancer Center Outreach Specialist Danielle Falcone said Chryst had a big part to play in the formation of this partnership.
“Coach Chryst and his wife Robyn are the two that are spearheading it, and they’re just looking to keep the funds in the university and build the relationship with another university organization,” Falcone said.
The UW Carbone Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the state of Wisconsin. This means they are involved in a wide range of aspects relating to cancer. Some of their work includes outreach and fundraising, patient treatment and care, as well as research such as clinical trials and pilot programs, which are conducted by their physicians and researchers.
Carbone also has a number of accolades for contribution to cancer research, including the first non-twin bone marrow transplant Dr. Fritz Bach conducted in 1968.
“So even though the money is staying local, and feels like its just helping local people, it really has a global impact on cancer research,” Falcone said.
In addition to the support and fundraising it will provide for women’s cancer research, Carbone sees other benefits in forming a connection with UW football.
“It’s appealing to us because they have such a wide reach, it’s a demographic we don’t usually get to tap into,” Falcone said. “Hopefully, it draws us a younger demographic.”
As is the case for most fundraising events, sponsorship is at the center of the effort. Football 101 for Women needs the support of local business to push the fundraising drive.
Business can be involved at different levels of sponsorship and Falcone said there have already been many businesses reaching out to be involved.
“It’s been an overwhelmingly positive response about sponsorship so far,” Falcone said.
Along with the sponsorship from local businesses, this year will also see individuals encouraged to do their own fundraising for the first time.
“We really want the attendees to gauge their networks and get a couple extra bucks to go to the Cancer Center and hopefully that will raise the bottom line for us a little bit,” Falcone says.
With just more than two months to go before event day, there have already been more than $8,000 raised, a sign Football 101 for Women is on its way to another successful installment.
