Related Links:
Lisa Panici's Story
Dig Panici Classic Web Page
WIAC "Playing for a Cause"
 
The No. 9 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team will hold its sixth annual Dig Panici Night this Friday as part of the team's match against Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) at 6:30 p.m. at Russell Arena inside the Williams Center.
 
The night will be in honor of Lisa Panici, a former member of the volleyball program who passed away in December 2012 after a two-year battle with brain cancer. In 2013, Panici's No. 12 was retired and the Warhawks' locker room was dedicated in her name.
 
To honor Panici, fans are asked to remain silent for the first two points scored by the Warhawks in honor of her No. 12. After the team scores its third point, fans are encouraged to cheer as loudly as possible in memory of Panici.
 
T-shirts to celebrate Panici's life will be available for purchase for a minimum donation of $20, or $15 for UW-Whitewater students with ID. Dig Panici bracelets are also available for a $1 donation.
 
All t-shirt and ticket proceeds will benefit a scholarship in Panici's name. As funds are secured, it is the intention of the Panici family that the "Dig Panici Scholarship" will be awarded annually to a UW-Whitewater student who may be physically or mentally impaired.
 
Dig Panici Night is also part of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's "Playing for a Cause" initiative.
 
Friday night's match is the Warhawks' second of the two-day Dig Panici Classic. UW-Whitewater opens play earlier that day at 12:30 p.m. against Carroll, then closes the tournament Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against Illinois Wesleyan.