Somerset Patriots Score Big With Prostate Awareness

It was a Friday night of good baseball, fun competitions, singing and cheering, as the Somerset Patriots took on the Bridgeport Bluefish in their last home series before the playoffs.

But that fun was in addition to an underlying message of cancer awareness.

For the first time, the Somerset Patriots, in conjunction with the Somerset Medical Center Foundation, held Prostate Cancer Awareness Night.

"The Patriots genuinely care about the community," said Paul Huegel, president of the Somerset Medical Center Foundation, a group that provides funding to Somerset Medical Center. "We partner with the Patriots so that we can reach a broad constituent of people, several thousand people in a couple of hours, which is terrific."

The Foundation hoped to raise awareness about prostate cancer by providing information about the signs and symptoms of the disease, the importance of screenings and new minimally invasive surgical options. The fundraising was done to support the cancer programs at the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center, and included a 50/50, a raffle of a display filled with signed baseballs and an auction.

The auction itself was a major highlight of the event. During the game, players and coaches wore powder blue jerseys and hats instead of their usual uniforms. 

Fans then bid on the jerseys of their favorite players and those that had the highest bids at the end of the 6th inning won the jersey and hat, and could meet each player to get a signature. 

The fundraiser, conceived by Marc Rusinoff, vice president of public relations, was added to the season's roster of special events due to previous successes with breast cancer awareness.

Somerset Medical Center, which provides healthcare to the team, has partnered with the Patriots for several years on breast cancer awareness. At last year's fundraiser, which took place on Mother's Day and included a brunch, players wore pink and white jerseys, the official colors of breast cancer awareness.

That fundraiser raised about $6,000.

"We're very proud to partner with Somerset Medical Center," Rusinoff said.  "It's a great organization. The foundation does great work and this fundraiser is designed for people battling cancer within our community."

Pat Zangaro, a season ticket holder who resides in Manville, has been a Patriots fan almost since the beginning.

"They're really good guys," she said. "They have a picture of my husband in their yearbook."

Zangaro, whose husband succumbed to cancer earlier in the year, said she was proud to also support the Steeplechase Cancer Center, as they were very supportive during her husband's battle with cancer.  She proudly sported a Somerset Patriots shirt and a pink jersey, which was signed by one of her favorite players, #5 Billie Hall.

After the Friday night game, Zangaro added three powder blue jerseys to her collection. 

Although, the Patriots did not pull off a win against the Bluefish, it was a close game that was tied at five runs until the bottom of the 7th inning. It was a Bluefish homerun in the top of the 8th inning that pulled in four runs and clinched the win.

The Patriots, however, have already secured a place in the playoffs. 

Whether they further win or lose, on Friday, they helped get a little closer to victory in the fight against prostate cancer.

"As players, they are always looking to give back," said Patrick McVerry, president and general manager of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club. "We are proud of tonight."