By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University raised $11,006.39 for the American Brain Tumor Association through the Play for ABTA night at Cone Field House on Friday, Jan. 21, when the Bearcats hosted Linfield University in a Northwest Conference basketball doubleheader. The Bearcats raised $9,356 online to go along with $1,650.39 raised in person during the games.
Amanda Carpenter (Grad., G, Beaverton, OR/Sunset HS) from the WU women's team was instrumental in setting up the evening as a memorial to her mother, Kim Veenhuis, who died this past August following a battle against brain cancer. Carpenter's father, Todd Veenhuis, spoke at halftime of both games about his wife's battle with cancer. Earlier that week, a video created by Carpenter about her mother was released on the Willamette Athletics website.
The evening of fundraising featured prizes, raffles, competitions, and a photo booth with Willamette's mascot, Blitz. All of the proceeds will benefit the American Brain Tumor Association. There are 700,000 people in the U.S. living with a brain tumor and an additional 500 people are diagnosed every day. Funds raised by the ABTA allow the organization to provide vital brain tumor resources to patients and their families, fund promising research studies, and conduct nationwide brain tumor educational programs.
Carpenter scored a career-high 31 points in Willamette's 70-50 victory over Linfield in the women's game. Carpenter was helped in organizing the night's activities by former Bearcat women's basketball player Britanny Kochenderfer ('19). Carpenter and Kochenderfer both played on Willamette's teams in 2017-18 and 2018-19. During the 2017-18 season, the Bearcats achieved a 17-10 overall record (12-4 in the NWC) and reached the championship game of the NWC Tournament.
'I was amazed by the amount of support we had for this game," Carpenter said. "Between the fans at the game, donations made, people reaching out through social media, and even more, it was all beyond what I had expected. The games were a huge success in raising money for the ABTA and spreading awareness for the cause and information about brain tumors. Being able to share my family's story and seeing the response it had was incredible. I'm glad we were able to use our platform for a cause so close to my heart and I'm looking forward to hopefully continuing this event in the future."
"What a spectacular night!," Willamette Head Women's Basketball Coach Peg Swadener noted. "We had discussed what a 'successful' night would look like, and in reality, the night ended up being so much better than imagined .. .to the point where I can't think of how it could have been any better. It was such a perfect night to honor the memory of Kim and to be able to share that with Amanda and her family was truly awesome."
Carpenter's career-best performance is one part of the successful evening that players, fans, and administrators will remember for a long time. She connected on 7 of 13 field goals, including 4 of 8 shots from 3-point range. She also was an inspiring 13 for 14 at the free throw line. In addition to scoring 31 points, she hauled down seven rebounds, earned four steals, and had one assist. The effort tied her for sixth on Willamette's single-game scoring list.
"Just like all my games this season, this one especially was for my mom, who was my absolute biggest fan," Carpenter commented. "I felt her with me during the game and I think she definitely helped a few shots fall. I want to give a huge shoutout to my teammates and coaches as well; this is not something I achieved on my own. They have been so supportive all season long and made this night extremely special."
"There really aren't enough words to describe how we feel about Amanda with her performance that night," Swadener said. "It was such an emotional week for her as we prepared for the event, and she showed an exceptional amount of strength and courage sharing her family's story so publicly. The fact that she was able to put that performance on top of the week she had is about as inspiring as it gets."
Support for the Play for ABTA night went beyond Carpenter, Swadener, and the women's basketball team. It also involved the Willamette men's basketball team, the Linfield basketball teams, and fans of both Willamette and Linfield.
"We were humbled to be asked by our sister program to support such a worthy cause," Willamette Head Men's Basketball Coach Kip Ioane said. "It was certainly a Hollywood-type script for Amanda to perform at that level on such an emotional night for her. It speaks to her resolve and determination ... that we get to witness all year in conference play."
First-year Bearcat forward Cedric Coward (Fresno, CA/Central HS) scored 25 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and earned five steals in the men's game.
For Carpenter, the fundraising effort was another great accomplishment to remember.
"I was blown away that we were able to raise that much money for the ABTA. This greatly exceeded our expectations and it is all going to a great cause," Carpenter noted. "Every dollar raised helps bring the organization that much closer to discovering new treatments and a potential cure for brain tumors.
"Thank you to everyone who donated and supported us by watching the game," Carpenter added. "An extra thank you to Britanny Kochenderfer and Peg Swadener for setting everything up and making it such a successful night. It was a special night for my family and for me, and I'm very thankful to be a part of the Willamette community. Go Bearcats!"
Kochenderfer's efforts in setting up and overseeing the Play for ABTA night were extensive and very successful. Even with all the work she put into the project, Kochender was surprised by how well everything went.
"The response to our fundraiser was incredible," Kochenderfer said. "I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who donated and attended the games."
Carpenter's thoughts about the fundraising event and the possibility of repeating it were echoed by Korchenderfer who said "We are very fortunate that our Bearcat fans are so supportive. It was great to be able to use ... athletics to raise funds and awareness for such an important cause. We hope to continue this fundraiser in future years."
In addition, Kochenderfer appreciated Carpenter's strength and leadership in establishing the Play for ABTA night.
"I am so proud of Amanda for everything she did to make the event possible," Kochenderfer commented. "Amanda, Todd, and their whole family are wonderful people and we are lucky to have them as part of the Bearcat family."
Swadener summed up the thoughts of so many people who participated in the evening or made online donations. Nearly everyone felt extremely moved and very grateful to those who created the various elements of the special night.
"The success of the fundraising is a direct testament to the character of Kim, Amanda, Todd, and the rest of their family," Swadener noted. "These are some of the greatest people you would ever meet, and their story is easy to support. I'd like to extend a special thank you to Amanda and Todd for being willing to share their story, Britanny Kochenderfer for putting the event together, men's basketball, Willamette Athletics, and Willamette University for the great support, and everyone else who shared the night with us."
