On Jan. 17, the women’s and men’s basketball teams played at home against Westminster, but there was a colorful look throughout the gym. The players and coaches all wore rainbow shoelaces and the handrails were decorated in several different colors of crepe paper. The Student Athlete Advisory Committee put together this year’s Coaches vs. Cancer event, and honored all types of cancer with the shoelaces and crepe paper.
During the two games, members of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee were selling donation cards for one dollar. All of the proceeds went to the American Cancer Society. The cards were displayed on the walls of the gym after purchase, along with the name of the buyer. All concessions proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society as well.
According to coachesvscancer.org, the Coaches vs. Cancer program, alongside the National Association of Basketball Coaches, has been working with the American Cancer Society to defeat cancer for the past 25 years. Coaches are attempting to promote healthy living among students and increase cancer awareness through the Coaches vs. Cancer program.
This program was founded by Norm Stewart, who is a cancer survivor and member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He challenged fans of University of Missouri to pledge dollar amounts for every three point shot made by the team throughout the 1991 season. Soon after, the concept evolved into the Coaches vs. Cancer program. Now the program is partnered with the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
While most people are familiar with the research done through the American Cancer Society, the program offers various other resources as well. They offer emotional support for family members and cancer patients. They also offer resources to promote healthy lifestyles to help prevent cancer, and also fight for life saving policy changes. The headliner on the cancer.org website states, “At the American Cancer Society we’re on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until we do, we’ll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. All so you can live longer and better.”