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Basketball coaches nationwide participate in a variety of local and national events to raise funds and awareness for Coaches vs. Cancer. You can make a difference by learning more about the following activities and events. National Coaches vs. Cancer Events Coaches vs. Cancer Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer (November) The Classic is the nation's premier, preseason college basketball tournament that offers spectators and fans some of the most exciting college basketball in the country and the chance to help the American Cancer Society make a difference in the fight against cancer. This tournament features 16 teams from 16 conferences that compete at four regional sites during the second week in November each year. The four victorious teams advance to the championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Memphis Tigers were the 2007 Classic champs, beating the University of Connecticut Huskies in the final game. The 2008 champs were the Duke University Blue Devils defeating the University of Michigan Wolverines. Nationally televised on ESPN and ESPN2, the event was attended by more than 80,000 spectators who saw 20 exciting games and helped raise significant money and awareness for the American Cancer Society. The Classic has generated nearly $4 million for Coaches vs. Cancer during the last 12 years. The next classic will be held on November 9-13 and November 19-20, 2009. Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend (February) Suits and Sneakers, a national event designed to raise awareness about Coaches vs. Cancer and the importance of cancer prevention and early detection was January 30-February 1, 2009. During that weekend, coaches and coaching staff nationwide wore sneakers with their suits while coaching games during this weekend to remind college basketball audiences about the many ways people can reduce their risk of cancer, like eating right, exercising, making healthy lifestyle choices, and following the American Cancer Society's recommended cancer screening guidelines. The event was promoted by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society. Media coverage of the awareness weekend was overwhelming, including hundreds of local stories and articles on ESPN.com, the New York Times sports blog, and si.com. Next year's Suits and Sneakers events will be held from January 29-31, 2010. For more information regarding Suits and Sneakers, contact Loren Deal, national project coordinator, at 404-417-5971 or Loren.Deal@cancer.org. Fight Cancer in Style! (April) Coaches’ wives and families aren’t just sitting on the sidelines in the fight against cancer—they’re taking center court with their involvement in Coaches vs. Cancer! Fight Cancer in Style is an exclusive brunch, networking opportunity, and boutique shopping event held during the NCAA Men’s Final Four. This year’s brunch was held on Saturday, April 4, at the beautiful Ceasars Hotel in Windsor, Canada and featured guest speaker, Denise Abdullah. This awareness-raising event is hosted by coaches’ wives and allows other wives to learn more about getting involved in the fight against cancer in their schools and communities. The event consists of a gourmet brunch and program where attendees hear from fellow coaches’ wives, cancer survivors, and American Cancer Society researchers. Specialty boutiques featuring top designers and one-of-a-kind items are set up around the venue so guests can also enjoy a unique shopping experience. For more information regarding Fight Cancer in Style!, contact Loren Deal, national project coordinator, at 404-417-5971 or Loren.Deal@cancer.org. Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Invitational (June) This year, on June 7-8, some of the top college basketball and football coaches teamed up to fight cancer on the picturesque grounds of the Raleigh Country Club. This friendly yet competitive golf outing raised much needed income to help the American Cancer Society fund groundbreaking research, educate the public about cancer prevention and early detection, advocate for public health policies that benefit the community, and provide free programs and services that improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Raleigh Country Club boasts the last course designed by legendary course designer Donald Ross and has hosted numerous professional and amateur events during the past five decades. For more information regarding Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Invitational, contact Loren Deal, national project coordinator, at 404-417-5971 or Loren.Deal@cancer.org or Jim Satalin, national program director, Jim.Sataline@cancer.org or 315-433-5620. Officials vs. Cancer As an expansion of the Coaches vs. Cancer program, referees are asked to donate a portion of their game fee to the American Cancer Society. This initiative starts during Suits and Sneakers weekend and concludes with an announcement of the monies raised during the National Association of Basketball Coaches' presentation at the Final Four. During this year’s Suits and Sneakers awareness weekend, high school and college officials used white whistles instead of their customary black and donated a portion of their paychecks to help end cancer as a major health problem. The second annual Officials vs. Cancer fundraising drive was co-sponsored by the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, the NABC, and the American Cancer Society and raised more than $70,000 nationwide to support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission. For more information about Officials vs. Cancer, contact Jim Satalin, national program director, 315-433-5620, or email Jim.Sataline@cancer.org. Local Coaches vs. Cancer Events Tom & Lupe Izzo and Coaches vs. Cancer Michigan State University Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo, and wife Lupe, have joined Coaches vs. Cancer, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). To help them put a game plan together off the court in the fight against cancer, Tom and Lupe have formed a volunteer driven committee and an initial field of donors who make up a strong starting lineup, which includes influential community leaders and businesses from around the state.For more information or to find out how to participate, contact Kate Follett at 517.664.1370. BasketBall Gala The BasketBall is a black-tie gala hosted by coaches in their communities that offers an exciting evening of dancing, dinner, celebrity appearances, and a unique silent auction. Syracuse University Head Coach Jim Boeheim and wife Juli created this event in 2000, and each year the event is bigger and better than the last. Other coaches and their wives who host successful BasketBall galas include: Mike and Tish Brey (University of Notre Dame), Mark and Marci Few (Gonzaga University), Geno and Kathy Auriemma (University of Connecticut), Fran and Ree Dunphy (Temple University), and Phil and Judy Martelli (St. Joseph’s University). Coaches and their wives are encouraged to contact their local American Cancer Society office to learn more about starting a BasketBall gala in their community. Tip-off Breakfast Coach Gary Williams at the University of Maryland, Coach Roy Williams at the University of North Carolina and the Philadelphia six coaches host a tip-off breakfast at their respective schools each fall to discuss the upcoming basketball season and to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This unique event for basketball fans offers an opportunity to hear firsthand from the coaches on predictions for the season. Other coaches from around the country hold these events, bringing fans closer to the game and the fight against cancer. Local Golf Tournaments Many coaches across the country host annual golf tournaments to benefit the American Cancer Society. These events offer a day of competition and camaraderie for an important cause, while mixing two favorite activities for many fans—basketball and golf. Local golf tournaments also provide many individuals with a chance of a lifetime—to play with their favorite coaches. Many notables such as the Philadelphia six coaches, Ed DeChellis of Penn State, and Coach Mike Brey of Notre Dame take the competition off the court to the course each year. Coaches vs. Cancer Nights Several schools pick one game during the season to designate as “Coaches vs. Cancer Night,” where the coach will appeal to the fans and community to join his team in the fight against cancer by adding an additional admission charge, asking for a donation at the door, seeking pledges, initiating shoot-out contests, etc. The event is often sponsored by a local business, promoted on the coach's show, and publicized by local media outlets. High School Basketball Tournaments Many high school coaches get involved with Coaches vs. Cancer by hosting a Coaches vs. Cancer tournament at their school or simply renaming an existing tournament to benefit the American Cancer Society. The host coach will invite other schools to participate in an event that may be held during the season, or planned as a holiday tournament. Coach Rich Basirico, head coach at Hilton Head Preparatory, renamed an existing event that has created overwhelming visibility for the American Cancer Society in the two days of competition. Elmira High School in Elmira, New York hosts a three-day holiday tournament that features a tobacco education clinic.
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