Cyclone fans, trade in your cardinal and gold attire for something else. The ISU athletics department is encouraging fans to wear pink to all home sporting events this weekend as a part of its “Think Pink” weekend.

“Think Pink” was created to raise breast cancer awareness and provide participants and fans a way to support an important cause.

“We are trying to raise as much awareness about a need for research and finding a cure,” said gymnastics coach Jay Ronayne. “We’re just trying to get people to think about it more than they already do.”

The gymnastics, tennis and men’s and women’s basketball teams are all participating in “Think Pink” this weekend.

Iowa State is one of 800 universities nationwide that will celebrate the Think Pink initiative from Feb. 8-17. Think Pink was launched in early December by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) in collaboration with the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research to honor NC State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and has fought it ever since.

Women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly said that the members of the ISU family have been affected by breast cancer through Theresa McDermott, the wife of men’s basketball coach Greg McDermott, who fought and beat the illness.

“We’ve all been touched by it in our lives,” Fennelly said. “What you hope is that it’s not just a one-night thing – it brings awareness to it and continue to think about it and do something about it.”

Missouri women’s basketball coach Cindy Stein shared Fennelly’s sentiment.

“I know, on our team and myself included, there is just so many people you love dearly that have been touched by breast cancer,” Stein said. “We have to do something about it, and I think this is a great way of showing it.”

Both the Missouri and ISU teams will be wearing pink shooting shirts and shoelaces Saturday, and the coaches will be wearing pink ties and accessories. Pink “Tees-4-3s” T-shirts will also be thrown to the fans every time the Cyclones hit a 3-pointer.

Sophomore point guard Alison Lacey said, with all the people that have been affected by breast cancer, it is motivating for the team to be a part of this.

“I think it’s huge for us,” Lacey said. “Everyone gets into it and thinks it’s fun.”

The gymnastics team will be wearing pink leotards when it faces off against Stanford on Sunday. Pink gift bags will be handed out to the first 500 fans and pink items will be raffled off throughout the meet.

“I think it gives us good exposure just to know we’re supporting other causes, and it’s good for the team,” said gymnast Jasmine Thompson.

Ronayne said he felt it fitting for his gymnasts to participate in the weekend’s activities.

“I coach a women’s sport. It’s an issue that can affect every woman or at least someone from every family, even men. It just seems like a natural fit for us to be concerned about it,” Ronayne said.

The ISU tennis team will be wearing pink shirts in its Friday matchup against Western Illinois at the Ames Racquet and Fitness Club. The team has also held a silent auction, donating the proceeds to the American Cancer Society.