Ed Milligan firmly believes "you're not dead until you're forgotten."
That's why Milligan teamed up with Chad Rice and sister Katie Gjerde for Friday night's Breast Cancer Awareness Night at the RedHawks' game against Calgary. The trio threw out the game's first pitches and combined to purchase the jerseys that were auctioned off to raise money for cancer.
It was a tribute to Milligan's wife, Lou, who died of cancer in 2006, and Chad and Katie's mother, Rita, who died of cancer in 2005. Both women were diehard RedHawks fans.
"Nobody said a bad thing about the RedHawks around Lou," said Milligan.
Rita Rice not only attended the games, but she and her husband, Dave, have been host families for the RedHawks for the last five years. They hosted
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F-M's Brad Mazer during the first two seasons. This season, they are hosting pitcher Dane Renkert.
"Mom was an avid baseball fan," Katie said. "It was bad news if we had to miss a RedHawks game."
Dave Rice approached the RedHawks last year about holding some sort of cancer fundraiser. Last year's Breast Cancer Awareness Night raised more than $6,500, with the proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
"I hope we raise more than last year," Katie said.
"It's a great cause and a great way to keep mom's memory alive," Chad said.
Fastballs
Going into Friday night's game, the Hawks had a 13-5 record in three-game series over the weekend. ... Before Friday night, the Hawks had a 4-12 record in games decided by one run, the worst in the Northern League. ... Prior to Friday night, the RedHawks' Richard Austin had hit .462 in the last seven games, raising his batting average from .282 to .300.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Kevin Schnepf at (701) 241-5549
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Schnepf's NDSU media blog can be found at www.areavoices.com
