WEB EXTRA: Teams dance, cheer to raise funds for breast cancer research projects

High school and adult cheerleading, pompon and dance teams competed for more than a trophy on Sunday when they traveled to MSU for the Pink Ribbon Cheer Classic.

Cheer Classic supports breast cancer research, education and awareness. The benefit was hosted by MSU's Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and was held at IM-Sports West.

This is the second year Zeta Tau Alpha hosted the event, raising about $16,000, which will be donated to the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation.

Breast cancer is the national philanthropic project for Zeta Tau Alpha. A major recipient of the donations is the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which is a leading contributor in the fight against breast cancer.

Twenty-one teams from across Michigan came to cheer for a cure and about 700 people came to watch and support the cause.

There were 31 performances throughout the day, with each costing $50 and spectators paying $5 for admission.

Some of the teams that performed were the MSU Competitive Cheer team, American Flyerz and Lansing Catholic Central High School varsity cheer team.

A silent auction was held during the event where about 10 items were auctioned off.

"A basketball signed by Tom Izzo raised a lot of money, it was one of the top items for the silent auction," said Lucie Richards, a communication and accounting senior and member of Zeta Tau Alpha.

The sorority got the idea from another chapter in Ohio, which in its first year raised $15,000 — about the same as the MSU Zeta Tau Alpha sorority raised last year.

Trophies were awarded in performance, spirit and individual categories. American Flyerz cheerleading of Chesterfield raised the most money for the competition and won the Race for the Cure Award.

"It went so much more smoothly and it was a lot more fun," said Amanda Sloan, an accounting sophomore and member of Zeta Tau Alpha. "Dance and cheer teams both were much more into it this year. A lot of the teams last year thought it was going to be a very strict competition, but were just there for the cause and to have a good time."