The Lee University softball team will be hosting their 10th annual Strike Out Cancer benefit tournament this weekend at Butler Field and Souther Field to help support cancer patients and the American Cancer Society.
Joining the Lady Flames for the event will be local schools Bryan College, Chattanooga State Community College, Tennessee Temple University and Wallace State Community College.
"This year we are also honoring two special people who are family members of our program and who have made an impact on us," said Lee head coach Emily Russell.
"We have had great community support this year while putting this tournament together. This community support has helped us be able to donate 100% of our proceeds raised over the weekend. Thank you for your support and for helping us move one step closer to finding a cure for cancer."
Current Lee sophomore outfielder Annabeth Pruett's grandmother, Betty Klaudt will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to kickoff the tournament. "In 1987 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer. My family was informed that it was so fast growing that I had maybe six days or siz weeks, but at the most six months to live," said Klaudt. "After hearing the diagnosis I did the only thing I knew to do. I prayed and asked 'God is this it? Should I plan my funeral', but from within my spirit I heard God say 'Just Trust Me'. After undergoing 7 months of very aggressive chemo, all results came back cleared. All cancer was gone.
"As a further testimony, after being cancer free for 13 years I was diagnosed in 2000 with Follicular Lymphoma. This was a more difficult cancer to treat and it reoccurred in 2004. But praise God today (10 years later) I am cancer free - healed by the Great Physician," exclaimed Klaudt. "I have been gifted with a true testament to God's faithfulness and have traveled as a missionary to 117 countries sharing my testimony. I live every day to the fullest knowing what a blessing life truly is- giving God all the Glory!"
The tournament will also honor the memory of Willie Mae Howard whose daughter Hollie was a member of the Lady Flames from 1999-2003. Howard along with her husband Jackie attend all but one road trip during Hollie's four-year career. "One year she sewed the costumes for our media guide photo without a pattern by looking at a picture and watching the movie "A League of their Own," remembers Russell.
"She was a wonderfully talented and loving person that was always giving to others. During senior day of that same year we honored Mrs. Howard for her work with the costumes in the media guide. When I handed her the framed media guide with the signatures and words of appreciation scribbled around the border, she hugged me and teared up and said that nobody had ever done anything like that for her. She was completely overwhelmed by the recognition. I bet that she would be in awe again today as we are all gathered here doing a small part to help find a cure for cancer and honoring her memory," concluded Russell.
Strike Out Cancer Tournament Schedule
Friday
1 p.m. - Bryan College vs. Wallace State Community College
3 p.m. - Lee University vs. Wallace State Community College (nine innings)
3:30 p.m. -Bryan College vs. Chattanooga State Community College (Souther Field)
6 p.m. - Bryan College vs. Chattanooga State Community College
Saturday
10 a.m. - Tennessee Temple University vs. Chattanooga State Community College
12 p.m. - Tennessee Temple University vs. Chattanooga State Community College