MSU fans encouraged to “Pack the Place in Pink” for Sept. 21 football game

BOZEMAN - Montana State will continue its annual "Pack the Place in Pink" tradition to promote breast cancer awareness on Sept. 21 at the Bobcats' home football game.

Fans are invited to purchase limited edition apparel to wear during the game against Mercyhurst. The items for purchase include a pink T-shirt and two styles of baseball hats that feature a special Pack the Place in Pink Bobcat logo. All items will retail for $25.

Participating retailers will donate a portion of proceeds to Pack the Place in Pink, a Billings-based nonprofit that supports breast cancer patients in Montana by providing financial assistance. The organization was founded in 2007 by Vicki Heebner Carle, an MSU alumna and retired teacher. Carle, who has twice survived breast cancer, played basketball for MSU in the 1980s and was inducted into the Bobcat Hall of Fame in 1996.

Carle said Pack the Place in Pink began in Billings Skyview High School's volleyball program, where she was a coach, and has since spread statewide because of loyal partners such as MSU. The charity has given over $970,000 to 950 Montana breast cancer patients, and Carle said the need for financial assistance increases each year.

"As we reach an incredible milestone in giving, the achievement is a stark reminder of the number of Montanans battling breast cancer," said Carle. "We continue to work hard to generate funds for breast cancer warriors. Partnering with the Bobcats has given us a huge boost as they provide fundraising opportunities for us, as well as offer several different venues to generate funds and share our mission."

Pack the Place in Pink Bobcat merchandise is available at the MSU Bookstore in the Strand Union Building, at Bobcat Stadium and online at msubookstore.org. It will also be sold at Universal Athletic locations in Bozeman, Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and online at shop.msubobcats.com.