For four years, Falcon men’s soccer player Gavin Dozier has worn the same bracelet.

Neither expensive nor trendy, its sole purpose is to serve as a reminder; a reminder that no matter what happens on the field, there are things in life more important than soccer.

On that simple rubber bracelet are three words – ‘support, educate and advocate’ – and when Gavin’s father Derrick was diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2005, those words became ones to live by.

‘When we first found out about the cancer, we were relieved because the doctors could remove the entire prostate,’ Dozier said. ‘But when I got back to school after break, we found out that the cancer had metastasized before they got to it. That was a tough semester.’

Soon after the end of Gavin’s freshman year, his father began the two year process of radiation therapy, in hopes of defeating the cancer once and for all.

‘It had an effect on me; there was a lot of crying early on,’ Dozier said. ‘But my dad is a jovial and positive guy, and one of the best ways to combat cancer is with a positive attitude.’

Instead of taking a sympathetic tone over his father’s illness, Dozier decided to use his unique opportunity as a Division I college athlete to make a difference.

‘Being in the position I am, I thought I had a great opportunity to educate people about cancer, not just prostate cancer, but all kinds,’ Dozier said.

And that’s exactly what he did. As a redshirt freshman, Dozier went to then-Falcon coach Fred Thompson to inquire about holding an annual cancer awareness game, and with the athletic department’s approval, the idea became a reality.

After three successful years, this Sunday Dozier and his teammates will step out onto the field against Hartwick College at 1 p.m. for the fourth annual cancer awareness game, dedicated not only to Derrick, who is nearly cancer free, but also to the billions of people around the world who have suffered from the disease.

‘Over the years we have built up the game,’ Dozier said. ‘We want everyone at the game to wear pink and we players will be wearing pink warm-ups. The American Cancer Society will have a kiosk at this year’s game as well.’

As much as Dozier teammates show support on the field, their support for the event has been just as unwavering.

Having been best friends and roommate with Dozier since both walked onto campus four years ago, senior Chuko Evwaraye has been by his friend’s side since the events inception.

‘Anything that means a lot to Gavin means a lot to me,’ Evwaraye said. ‘Something like the cancer awareness game, that means so much to him. I also feel really passionate about it.’

Captain Jacob Lawrence is also happy his teammate has brought awareness to such a noble cause by playing the game they love.

‘Gavin has done a great job organizing the game each year, and it’s always great for the team to be able to raise awareness for such a great cause,’ Lawrence said.

As for Sunday’s game, it’s an important one for the team too as a conference tie between two schools looking to make a late season run into the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

But one thing is for sure, neither Dozier or any of the other Falcons would begrudge you if you put away the orange and brown shirts and jackets for just one game and opted to wear something a little brighter, like pink.

However important raising awareness is to the Falcons, Nichols and the team also knows a positive result will help the Falcons chances of reaching postseason play.

‘Hartwick is a very good team, and our guys have a lot of respect for them,’ Nichols said ‘They are a very organized team that has only allowed six or seven goals this year.’

Nichols and his staff will look to continue their recent run of good form which has seen the Falcons score five goals in their last two games.

‘We really are getting better each time out,’ Nichols said. ‘The top four teams advance to the conference tournament, and we have our eyes on getting into that top four.’

If the Falcons hope to break into the end of season tournament, they will need to secure a victory against Hartwick Sunday as well as finding positive results from the remaining two conference games.

But for the first time all season the Falcons have put together a string of positive games, something Nichols feels is happening at just the right time.

‘I feel really good about our lineup. I feel like we are evolving as a team,’ Nichols said. ‘I really like where we are at right now.’

With a victory the Falcons can move to within one game of Hartwick in the conference standings, and within two games of conference leader Akron Zips.’