Right before Miramar football coach Damon Cogdell’s matchup against St. Thomas Aquinas last Saturday, he delivered a message to his friend and breast cancer survivor Julie Corona.

“This one’s for you, Julie,” Cogdell said.

Miramar, donned in pink jerseys in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, made sure to get the win for Corona with a 27-24 overtime victory of the Raiders.

Miramar players hugged a teary-eyed Corona after the game. The team then presented her with a personalized pink shirt in her honor.

Huddled up with his team after the win, Cogdell instructed his players to acknowledge her by yelling, “Hi, Ms. Julie!”

Miramar will be wearing pink techfit jerseys every game during the month of October in partnership with Matty’s Sports in South Florida and sportswear maker Adidas.

Accessorizing

The Patriots wore navy pants with their pink jerseys against St. Thomas and will wear navy blue pants again against Everglades on Oct. 19 and Western on Oct. 26. The team will wear white pants for their game Friday at Boyd Anderson.

“It was a great game and a fight to the finish,” Corona said. “It was just an overall great night. Damon is a wonderful person and coach.”

When Adidas and Matty’s Sports presented Cogdell with the idea to wear pink jerseys the entire month of October to support breast cancer awareness, Cogdell thought of Corona.

“That’s the first person that came to mind,” Cogdell said.

This marks the first year Matty’s Sports in South Florida and Adidas will be providing pink uniforms for a football team. Both companies have distributed pink basketball jerseys and volleyball uniforms, but this is new territory.

Miramar is one of eight schools in the nation being provided pink football uniforms by Matty’s Sports in recognition of breast cancer awareness, according to sales representative Jim Slabe.

Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer High also is wearing pink jerseys this month.

Matty’s Sports and Adidas decided to ask Miramar to wear the uniforms in April because of the team’s success the past few years, including a Class 6A state championship win over DeLand in 2009 and a Class 8A state championship appearance last season.

“We chose Miramar because they are one of the premiere programs in the state of Florida,” Slabe said.

Cogdell, who met Corona about three years ago while coaching at a youth camp program, is pleased that his players will have an opportunity to represent a worthy endeavor.

“I’d have us wear pink everyday if it was to benefit a cause like this,” Cogdell said. “This is giving back to America.”

Linebacker Jermaine Grace, who also has a close relationship with Corona, said this is the first time he wore a pink football jersey. He said added that the jerseys are comfortable and a lighter material.

Lucky in pink

In addition to the “good luck” the pink jerseys gave Miramar, Grace said he most welcomes the opportunity to support his friend.

“Julie is a great woman,” Grace said. “I knew I was going to do my job on the field for coach and for her.”

Corona attends as many Miramar football games as her schedule allows. Just three weeks ago, she had surgery but says she is in good health. She will be watching Miramar the rest of the month with a sense of hope for the Patriots’ season and her life.

“It’s good to see young players work for a cause,” Corona said. “Everyday is a gift.”