Rival Coaches Come Together Off the Court In the Fight Against Cancer

American Cancer Society
Wednesday, 6 June 2001

The American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health organization, is bringing top college basketball coaches together June 10-11 for the second annual Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Invitational at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, MD. The tournament could be called the Final FORE! as the field of players is one of the largest gathering of college coaches outside the March tournament.

The tournament participants include coaches who typically find themselves standing across the court from one another, such as: Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University), Jim Calhoun (University of Connecticut), Jerry Dunn (Penn State University), Jim Harrick (University of Georgia), Nolan Richardson (University of Arkansas), Kelvin Sampson (University of Oklahoma), Gary Williams (University of Maryland), Roy Williams (University of Kansas), Tubby Smith (University of Kentucky), Fran Dunphy (University of Pennsylvania), Craig Esherick (Georgetown University), Steve Lappas (University of Massachusetts), Steve Lavin (University of California-Los Angeles) and Pat Kennedy (DePaul University). Other tournament participants include former NCAA basketball coaches Norm Stewart, Dean Smith and Bobby Cremins and Baltimore Ravens owner, Steve Biscotti. All proceeds from the event go directly toward the Society's research, advocacy and patient service programs in each coach's local community. "It's really a wonderful event," said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, a second-time tournament participant. "The course is beautiful and it's a great feeling to know you are making a difference in the fight against cancer. To be with other coaches in a fun, social environment is always a good time," said Boeheim. But it's not always fun and games on the course. "There's still the closest to the pin and the longest drive competitions," said UCONN coach Jim Calhoun, also back for a second year. "We're competitors. We all want to win those."

The Coaches vs. Cancer program was created in 1993 by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. In 1999 the Women's Basketball Coaches Association joined the program. Coaches vs. Cancer leverages the celebrity of our nation's coaches to raise awareness of key cancer issues and to raise money for the American Cancer Society's mission. The program has raised over $13.5 million to benefit the American Cancer Society with events including the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, Coaches vs. Cancer Challenge, Midnight Practice Events, coaches clinics and local game activities. Last year the Golf Invitational raised nearly $100,000, with an increase of 50% anticipated from this year's event.

"We are very proud to work with so many of the nation's top basketball coaches who join us in our fight against cancer. Because of their time, their energy, and their spirit they ultimately help save lives by participating in the Golf Invitational at Caves Valley," said H. Fred Mickelson, Chair-Elect of the National Board of the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society web site at www.cancer.org.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org