HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – They wore their purple proudly at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium on the campus of Hope College.
Every year Hope College teams up with Van Andel Institute and Purple Community to raise support and funds for cancer and neurodegenerative disease research. The Flying Dutchmen hosted a Purple Community Game on Saturday, September 16 against Lakeland, Wisconsin.
A family honored their Grandfather Jens Vocht who has been stricken with stage 4 cancer. They were also there to see a relative play. Steve Vanderveen told WHTC News that family from Florida and Colorado all donned in purple were coming to watch Jake Vanderveen on the field and to honor and take Grandpa to a football game.
How did they come up with the name “Team Flex?”
“We gave him that nickname because he’s always been super flexible Self proclaimed flexibility.” says Vanderveen.
All proceeds from the Hope Football Purple Community Game will benefit Purple Community and help underwrite a summer internship for a Hope College student at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Purple Community is Van Andel Institute’s grassroots community awareness and fundraising program.
Sports Director Alan Babbit says they will have present a check to the Institute when the next Purple Community Game is played during basketball season.
