The Hope College women’s and men’s soccer teams are teaming up for a special Purple Community doubleheader this fall to support Van Andel Institute and its cancer and neurodegenerative disease research.
Both the Flying Dutch and Flying Dutchmen will wear purple jerseys during September
15 games at Van Andel Soccer Stadium while also playing in honor of loved ones and
friends impacted by cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
The women’s Purple Community match vs. Capital (Ohio) kicks off at noon. The Flying
Dutch, under the direction of veteran head coach Leigh Sears, are the reigning Michigan
Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions.
The men’s Purple Community match vs. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (Indiana) starts
at 2:30 p.m. The Flying Dutchmen will be led by first-year head coach and six-time
NCAA Division III national champion Dave Brandt.
Tickets for the Purple Community doubleheader will go on sale next month. They also
can be purchased at Van Andel Soccer Stadium prior to the game.
All proceeds from the Purple Community doubleheader will go to Van Andel Institute
and help underwrite a summer internship for a Hope College student at Van Andel Institute
in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Purple shirts will be available for fans to purchase next
month.
This summer, Geordan Stukey, a Hope College senior majoring in biology, is interning
at Van Andel Institute.
Van Andel Institute employs more than 330 scientists, educators and staff working
to accomplish the mission of improving the health and enhance the lives of current
and future generation.
Van Andel Institute scientists are making discoveries and collaborating with scientists
and research institutions around the world to move promising therapies into clinical
trials. Van Andel Institute also has programs designed to enhance science education
across all ages.Purple Community is the Van Andel Institute grassroots community awareness
and fundraising program.
Learn more: Purple Community | Van Andel Institute