ORONO – It’s been a busy season for Coach Sharon Versyp, who heads the University of Maine women’s basketball team. After winning the regular season America East title, the Black Bears made it to the finals of the tournament last Saturday.

Tonight, the team will host Creighton University on the Orono campus in the first round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament.

But Versyp makes time for causes that are important to her. The coach has been named March of Dimes WalkAmerica Honorary Chairwoman for 2003.

Coach Versyp encourages all leaders of the business community to support WalkAmerica and to form teams of employees to participate and raise money to support the March of Dimes successful fight to save babies.

“Did you know that many babies born prematurely must struggle just to survive?” said Versyp. “By participating in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica, you can help give them a fighting chance. I urge you to join me on April 27, 2003, and be a hero for the tiniest babies.”

Among March of Dimes lifesaving breakthroughs are pioneering surgery that corrects certain birth defects before a baby is born, surfactant therapy to help premature babies breathe, and other new tests and treatments that help babies be healthier.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality.