Top-Ranked Schools Face Off in Madison Square Garden to Support American Cancer Society's Fight Against Cancer

American Cancer Society
Wednesday, 13 November 2002

College Hoops Teams Hit the Hardwoods in 2002 Coaches vs. Cancer® Classic

Long before the match-ups of March Madness are even a consideration, a very important college basketball showcase hits the court. On November 14 and 15, 2002, the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic® will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Teams from Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Villanova, Marquette, Syracuse, and Memphis are shooting it out in the fight against cancer to benefit the nation's leading voluntary health organization, the American Cancer Society.

Celebrating its seventh year, the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic has earned the distinction of kicking off the 2002-03 NCAA men's basketball regular season. The first tip-off will take place at 7 p.m. (EST) on November 14, 2002 when Syracuse faces Memphis. 2002 Final Four entrant Oklahoma will play Alabama in the nightcap. On Friday night, Villanova will face Marquette at 6:30 p.m. (EST), followed by Georgia against Texas. All four games will be televised on ESPN2.

This year, the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic will feature a new format, featuring eight teams, each playing one game, in a "showcase" style event, rather than the tournament format used in past years. Five of the eight teams are ranked in the ESPN/USA TODAY Preseason Top 25 poll; #3 Oklahoma, #5 Texas, #8 Alabama, #16 Georgia and #19 Marquette.

Last season, the Arizona Wildcats, then unranked, upset both #5 Florida and #3 Maryland on consecutive nights to be crowned the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic champions. Other past champions include Kansas (2000), Stanford (1999), Temple (1998) and Princeton (1997).

Coaches vs. Cancer, a collaboration between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society, was formed to leverage the strength, community leadership and celebrity of our country's basketball coaches. Through the efforts of more than 500 basketball coaches and the American Cancer Society, more than $18 million has been raised since 1993. The money raised supports the Society's efforts in research, education, advocacy and service in communities nationwide.

"Coaches vs. Cancer is truly dedicated to making a difference in the fight against cancer," said David M. Zacks, national volunteer chairman of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors. "The commitment from participating coaches and their schools, American Cancer Society volunteers and fans, has made the future even brighter for all those facing cancer."

With programs like Coaches vs. Cancer, the American Cancer Society works to offer hope, progress and answers to individuals touched by cancer. Through their association, basketball coaches are helping build a cancer-free future in many inventive ways in their own communities, including:

• Presenting healthy lifestyle education programs during their summer basketball camps and appearances at elementary schools


• Serving as advocates for tobacco legislation


• Visiting cancer patients to offer hopeful and compassionate messages during their fight against cancer


• Seeking pledges from individuals and businesses to benefit the American Cancer Society


• Creating fundraising events such as tip-off breakfasts, "Basket Balls" Galas and "Coaches vs. Cancer Nights" during their home seasons


• Participating in various high profile events such as the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic and the Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Invitational

"So many basketball coaches have dedicated themselves to the Coaches vs. Cancer program," said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. "Their leadership, commitment and support are instrumental in strengthening our cause."

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