University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Host Inaugural Coaches vs. Cancer Tip Off Classic
11/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
With a crowd of more than 100 supporters on hand, the Minnesota men's basketball team joined forces with the American Cancer Society on Sunday evening to host the inaugural Coaches vs. Cancer Tip-Off Classic at the Minikahda Club. The event, which was hosted by head coach Richard Pitino, served to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota.
"This is a great opportunity to truly make an impact in the fight against cancer," said Pitino. "I am grateful to at least be a small part in this everyday battle. Personally, I have been impacted with two grandparents passing from cancer - it touches everybody."
"Every year 30,000 people are touched by cancer in Minnesota," he added. "The American Cancer Society has spent more than $5 million in research at the University of Minnesota, so we're glad to be further strengthening the partnership here. We're going to build this event - we want to be in a bigger room with more people every year."
The evening began with a social hour and meet-and-greet with members of the basketball team, who took pictures with supporters. Following a brief program, several items and experiences went up for a live auction, which served to raise more than $30,000 in winning bids. All told, the event raised more than $57,000 towards the fight against cancer.
"A big thank you to Coach Pitino for his leadership and involvement in Coaches vs. Cancer - he is making a real difference in the fight against cancer," said David Benson, American Cancer Society's executive vice president and Midwest Division operating officer. "The partnership between the American Cancer Society and the NABC is something that goes back many years. The Upper Midwest is leading the way in the fight with Coaches vs. Cancer, it's great to see that the Midwest is playing such a big role in how Coaches vs. Cancer is making a difference."
The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs.
Because cancer has touched so many of our nation's basketball coaches, Coaches vs. Cancer offers them the unique opportunity to fight the disease. Through integrated fundraising activities and public awareness campaigns, participating coaches are truly making a difference in the fight against cancer and are raising awareness in their communities about the importance of cancer prevention, early detection, and making healthy lifestyle choices.
"We would love to be a part of growing this event with Coach Pitino, and we will help him in any way make this a bigger, stronger event to raise money for the fight against cancer," Benson added.
