Athletics

Tench named new executive director of Pennsylvania Pink Zone

Credit: Penn State Athletics. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Pink Zone and Penn State Lady Lion basketball are pleased to announced the hiring of Erin Tench as the executive director for the organization.

Tench earned her B.A. in media studies with a minor in speech communications from Penn State in 2000, before receiving her master of tourism administration, event management concentration from George Washington University in 2002. During her professional career, she has also added her certification in meeting management (CMM) and certified meeting processional (CMP) designations.

“I am thrilled to see Erin take over the helm of Pink Zone,” said Penn State women’s basketball head coach Coquese Washington. “She has tremendous experience and a background that is ideally suited for our organization. I am confident that under Erin’s leadership, Pink Zone will become an even stronger and more impactful organization in the fight against breast cancer.”

Previously the associate director of special events at Penn State, her professional career has also included stops with Meeting Professionals International, Hyland Events, the Hyland Group, the National Association of Broadcasters and Associated Builders and Contractors.

During her time as the associate director of special events, Tench’s responsibilities included organizing of programming and events for the University development and alumni relations. She is well versed in event management, logistical planning, budgeting and strategic planning, donor and sponsor relations, fundraising and community outreach.

The Pennsylvania Pink Zone and Penn State Lady Lion Basketball are a unified force in the fight against breast cancer on the court, across campus and within communities. The Pennsylvania Pink Zone promotes cancer awareness and empowers survivors through year-round efforts to raise funds critical in supporting vital breast cancer organizations, charities, and facilities that focus on breast cancer education, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

The Lady Lions became the first team in the NCAA to set the precedent of wearing pink uniforms in support of breast cancer awareness and earned a 70-61 victory over Wisconsin on Feb. 4, 2007. That day, the program honored 31 breast cancer survivors during a special halftime ceremony.

Pink Zone has grown in size and donated more than $1.5 million dollars to support breast cancer education, treatment and research. From 31 participants in its first year, Pink Zone set a record with 698 survivors in attendance during the 2014 event and raised a record $310,000 to support the fight against breast cancer that year. On Jan. 17, 2016, Penn State hosted the 10th Annual Pink Zone at Penn State game and welcomed more than 640 breast cancer survivors.

Last Updated April 20, 2016