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The Big West has announced the return of its Tough Like Tammy fundraising initiative for the 2024-25 women’s basketball season. The program is a joint venture between Big West women’s basketball, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Big West women’s basketball analyst Tammy Blackburn designed to support life-saving research on all cancers affecting women. 

A year ago, the program more than doubled its goal of raising $5,000, with all 11 women’s basketball programs participating to contribute $10,236 to the cause. The goal in 2024-25 is to raise $15,000 through donations or pledges for each offensive rebound secured during the final month of the Big West women’s basketball season. Fans can donate today at BigWest.org/TLT. 

“There is no greater example of courage, toughness and grace than my friend Tammy Blackburn,” Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly noted. “We thank the many fans, coaches and friends who supported Tough Like Tammy a year ago, but we know the battle is not yet won against cancer. The Big West and all 11 of our member institutions are united in our support of Tammy and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, and in the belief that together we will make a difference.”

A check for all monies raised will be presented during halftime of the women’s championship game of the 2025 Hercules Tires Big West Women’s Basketball Championship presented by Credit Union 1 at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada on March 15, 2025.  

“This program may be called Tough Like Tammy, but it belongs to all of the Big West players, coaches, administrators and fans who have joined the effort to literally save lives,” Big West women’s basketball analyst Tammy Blackburn said. “For people like me who are living with cancer, we know how critical these dollars are to giving us both hope and time. I encourage everyone to make a play that can literally save lives by supporting this important conference-wide effort.” 

All proceeds from Tough Like Tammy will benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Since the fund’s inception, more than $8.78 million has been awarded for scientific research and related programs focused on women’s cancers and helping the underserved. 

“We are so excited about The Big West coming together to Play4Kay in honor of Tammy Blackburn”, said Kay Yow Cancer Fund CEO Jenny Palmateer.  “The vision of Play4Kay came directly from Coach Kay Yow.  She saw it as a way to provide strength and courage to women battling cancer as well as a way to unite coaches, players, officials, and fans across the country in the fight against all cancers affecting women. The Big West is bringing this vision to life.” 

In 2024-25, each Big West women’s basketball program has also selected team ambassadors to spearhead the effort to exceed the team goal of $1,000 per institution. The Tough Like Tammy team ambassadors for 2024-25 are:  

• Cal Poly - Alana Goosby, Mary Carter & Gabby Robinson  
• Cal State Bakersfield – Ari Dizon 
• Cal State Fullerton – Aixchel Hernandez 
• CSUN – Laini Dahlin & Jenna Kilty 
• Hawai`i – Brooklyn Rewers 
• Long Beach State – Lovely Sonnier 
• UC Davis – Ryann Bennett 
• UC Irvine – Amelia Scharpf 
• UC Riverside – Zoe Tillery 
• UC San Diego – Sabrina Ma 
• UC Santa Barbara – Martha Pietsch 

   What They’re Saying About Tough Like Tammy