Oct. 21, 2009

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team will continue its tradition of charity this Saturday evening when they take to the field to play Valparaiso University. The team will be wearing special Puma jerseys that it will be auctioning off afterwards to help support breast cancer awareness and research.

The UWM women's volleyball and soccer teams both participated in a successful "Pink Out" campaign and now the men's soccer team will do their part as well.

The fundraising effort is also being done in the memory of Tunisia Koonce.

Koonce recently lost her courageous battle with breast cancer and is the wife of Milwaukee athletic director George Koonce.

"On Saturday we are looking to help fight the battle against breast cancer and recognize a very important person to the UWM family in Tunisia Koonce," Milwaukee head coach Jon Coleman said. "We hope everyone in attendance will make donations towards the tribute kits to help raise money for this very important cause."

The Panthers started the tradition of wearing special jerseys in 2001 to honor the September 11th tragedy. They wore special one-time kits again in 2003 to raise money for the MACC fund, in 2005 to raise money for Hurricane Katrina benefit and again in 2008 to raise support for Grassroot Soccer, a global AIDS prevention organization.

It is also "Club Night" at Engelmann. Admission will be $1 for wearing your soccer clubs' clothing items (i.e. sweatshirt, jacket, etc.) at the gate.