RCW: Sport Spotlight 4.28 (Softball)
?? Play with a purpose #KUsoftball #JayhawksForACure pic.twitter.com/urKFZp7OMP
— Kansas Softball (@KUSoftball) March 28, 2018
Mood watching @kuhoops advance to the FINAL FOUR!!!!!!!!!!! #KUbball #KUsoftball
A post shared by Kansas Softball (@kusoftball) on Mar 25, 2018 at 4:30pm PDT
Why does Kansas softball wear orange?
As the Jayhawks trot on to the field for the fifth annual Orange Game on Saturday it is a question that ninth-year head coach Megan Smith is more than willing to answer.
The Orange Game supports Jayhawks for a Cure and kidney cancer awareness, which is represented by the color orange. It is also a memorial game for Smith’s late husband, Paul Buske, who succumbed to kidney cancer in 2011 — shortly after Smith completed her second season coaching the Jayhawks.
At the beginning of Kidney Cancer Awareness Month in March, Smith reflected on how the disease has impacted her life in a self-written article on KCCure.org.
“Each season, we dedicate a game to the memory of Paul and to raise awareness for kidney cancer,” Smith said in her article. “Our players wear orange jerseys and Cooper throws out the first pitch to honor his dad. We do a silent auction to raise money and we also educate our fans on the symptoms of kidney cancer.”
Every year the Orange Game expands in some way. This year, it will feature a pregame fun run and reception to pay special recognition to cancer survivors and fighters, and to remember those lost.
But the one tradition that remains constant with each Orange Game is when Megan and Paul’s son, Cooper Buske, throws out the ceremonial first pitch. With his team of “big sisters” behind him and his mom beside him, Cooper honors his late father.
Why does @KUSoftball wear Orange for a game each year?@mickshaffer explains the reason for the color swap – https://t.co/68H5EbAyna pic.twitter.com/qbM2kQrFIe
— Spectrum Sports KC (@SpecSportsKC) March 23, 2017
Saturday’s festivities begin at 11:30 a.m., with the fun run and reception. The game against Colorado State begins at 1 p.m., and fans in attendance will receive a free orange t-shirt while supplies last.
Those who attend the pregame reception will receive a free ticket to the game. RSVP here: https://kuathletics.wufoo.com/forms/kansas-softball-orange-game-reception/
