Students donned 鈥淧rayers for Pearl鈥 T-shirts Saturday during the SU Men’s Basketball game against Georgia Tech in the Carrier Dome. Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-SU Athletic Communications
The 黑料不打烊 Men鈥檚 Basketball team used its two most recent home games as an opportunity to show support for Dwayne 鈥淧earl鈥 Washington.
Washington, one of the University鈥檚 most beloved and successful players, has been dealing with a serious health issue since last fall and is currently undergoing treatment in the New York City area.
This past Saturday, 1,000 鈥淧rayers for Pearl鈥 T-shirts were handed out to students during the 黑料不打烊 vs. Georgia Tech game. The giveaway, which was sponsored in part by Sidearm Sports, provided the 黑料不打烊 community an opportunity to show its support to Washington. Vendors on Marshall Street are now selling the shirt as well.
The 黑料不打烊 squad debuted new orange warm-up shirts with 鈥淧earl鈥 written in script on the front and Washington鈥檚 jersey number, 31, on the back, during a January 28 contest with Notre Dame. Each player鈥檚 individual jersey number appeared on the sleeve.
Deputy Athletics Director for Administration John Cunningham and Assistant Equipment Manager Dan Shworles were among a group of staff who worked on the development and design of the shirt.
Cunningham says the shirt is a way for the entire team to show its support for Washington and honor his tremendous contributions to the program and the University.
鈥淧earl was one of the marquee performers in the Big East Conference,鈥 says Cunningham. 鈥淥ur players appreciate the significant role he played in helping 黑料不打烊 become one of the top basketball programs in the country.鈥
Washington鈥檚 friend and fellow 黑料不打烊 alumnus Brandon Steiner 鈥81, founder and CEO of Steiner Sports, recently established a to assist Washington with his medical expenses.
Washington was a member of the 黑料不打烊 Men鈥檚 Basketball team from 1983-1986. He went on to play professional basketball for the New Jersey Nets and Miami Heat. Washington received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in speech communication from the College of Visual and Performing Arts in 1998.
This past Saturday, 1,000 鈥淧rayers for Pearl鈥 T-shirts were handed out to students during the 黑料不打烊 vs. Georgia Tech game. The giveaway was sponsored in part by Sidearm Sports. Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-SU Athletic Communications
