The IBCA again has designated January as “Coaches vs. Cancer” month for high school Basketball in Indiana.
In the first 10 years of this initiative, boys’ and girls’ coaches across Indiana have raised more than $872,000. In 2016-17 coaches, teams and communities that reported raised more than $46,000. That brings the 10-year reported total from Indiana basketball coaches to $872,444.
Of note, coach Bryan Graham and his Triton Central girls’ basketball program was honored at 2017 IBCA Clinic for raising more than $100,000 over the years for the fight against cancer.
Thanks to all coaches, teams, schools and dedicated community members who plan to participate in the 11th annual IBCA initiative against cancer during the 2017-18 season.
For the coming season, ideally pick a date in January for a “Coaches vs. Cancer” game. If not January, please pick a date that works for you and host a “Coaches vs. Cancer” game.
The American Cancer Society also will present banners to programs that meet certain levels of donations. Categories are Champion ($10,000 or more), MVP ($5,000 to $9,999) and All Star ($2,500 to $4,999). To be eligible, all funds raised from throughout the school year must be turned into the local American Cancer Society office no later than June 1, 2018.
For accounting purposes, it helps tremendously if funds can be turned in by March 15, 2018.
Once you have determined the date for your “Coaches vs. Cancer” game, please e-mail this info to Gene Milner (gmilner@tds.net) so we can list the game dates on our IBCA “Coaches vs. Cancer” calendar. During this game, we are asking you to pass a container through the crowd (or make one available at your ticket counter) for fans to make donations. Checks should be made payable to "American Cancer Society."
After the game, we ask you to do the following:
- E-mail Gene Milner to let him know how much money was collected and to what charity it was donated if other than the American Cancer Society.
- Call Bob Lovell of Indiana SportsTalk and let him know how much you collected
- Send a check for the amount collected (payable to the "American Cancer Society") to Steve Witty, P.O. Box 638, Plainfield, IN 46168, who will forward it to the Coaches vs. Cancer office, or you can send it directly to the American Cancer Society. Here is a list of ACS offices in Indiana with the senior manager of each:
- American Cancer Society-Southern Indiana Office, 5250 Vogel Rd., Main Level, Evansville, IN 47715. Phone: 812-475-9244. Senior manager: Eric Pittman.
- American Cancer Society-Central Indiana Office, 5635 W. 96th Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278. Phone: 317-344-7800. Senior managers: Jeff Johnson, Stephen Hunt.
- American Cancer Society-Northern Indiana Office: 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Phone: 574-257-9789. Senior manager: Suzanne Tracy.
- American Cancer Society-Northeast Indiana Office, 111 East Ludwig Road, Suite 105, Fort Wayne, IN 46825. Phone: 260-471-3911. Senior manager: Suzanne Tracy.
Indiana is part of the Lakeshore Division of American Cancer Society. The contact for the “Coaches vs. Cancer” program for Indiana is Hillary Gozigian. Her e-mail address is hillary.gozigian@cancer.org.
Please make plans now to include a "Coaches vs. Cancer" game on your schedule for the 2017-18 season. Our goal is 100 percent participation of all high schools in Indiana.
Here is information from the national “Coaches vs. Cancer” program, which is observing its 25th season of activity in 2017-18.
- Tremendous partnership between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society.
- A unified national program for coaches of all levels to channel their passion and make a positive impact in the fight against cancer.
- Provides cohesive platform and program for coaches (community leaders) to leverage their influence, personal experiences, professional excellence and leadership to move this fight forward.
- Provides a number of ways for coaches to get involved – awareness activities, fund-raising initiatives, community service, and/or advocacy programs.
Cancer is a worthy opponent – formidable nature, a resourceful manner and a destructive appetite.
- 1 in 2 men will get cancer in their lifetime.
- 1 in 3 women will get cancer in their lifetime.
- Cancer can and will impact nearly everyone’ life at some point.
There is more work to be done.
ACS “Coaches vs. Cancer” timeline
1993: Established by Norm Stewart-Asking fans to pledge $1 for every 3-point shot made by his team.
2002: High School coach involvement formally begins and is launched in Philadelphia, PA
2004: Suits & Sneakers Weekend begins
2008: National High School Basketball Coaches Association designates CvC as official charity of choice.
2008: Coaches begin to participate in National Lobby Day
2018: Marks the 25th Anniversary of Coaches vs. Cancer.
By the numbers
17% … of the general population is aware of “Coaches vs. Cancer”
$100 million … total amount raised in support of the American Cancer Society since 1993.
$1.8 million … amount raised by high school basketball coaches nationally during the 2016-17 season.
4,000 plus … estimated number of coaches who participated in “Coaches vs. Cancer” initiatives during 2016-17.
$450 million … invested in more than 50 types of cancer research.
$2.5 million … number of volunteers united in the fight against cancer who work closely with the ACS.
671,178 … number of low- or no-cost screenings in underserved communities funded by the ACS.
5,000 … number of communities where the ACS has a presence and camp impact via more than 300 office locations and volunteer networks.
47 … of our funded researchers are Nobel Laureates.
23% … decline in cancer death rate over the past 21 years (that is 1.7 million deaths prevented).
800,000 … inquiries per year via phone, e-mail and chat that the ACS national Cancer Information Center handles.
4 million … number of free nights provided at our 32 Hope Lodges.
Making an impact
Coaches vs. Cancer efforts directly impact the mission of the American Cancer Society.
Funding of ground-breaking research and pioneering scientist across the country (and in Indiana).
Providing care by delivering crucial health information and vital patient services in local communities.
Raising of awareness by honoring those whom we have lost, recognizing those undergoing treatment and celebrating the lives we have helped save.
This season’s goals
Cohesive program for coaches at all levels (participation in 3-point challenge; participation in “Suits & Sneakers” Week)
Continued investment in resources from the ACS.
Celebrate 25th anniversary in style (return of 3-point challenge; honor and acknowledge past success)
Increase focus on participation of high school coaches (100% of returning coaches; at least 25 new coaches per state)
There is no wrong way
Visit www.coachesvscancer.org/youth
Host a “Coaches vs. Cancer” Game
3-point challenge (high schools from across the country will compete during January; fans and everyone in the community pledges a donation for every 3-point shot made during the month of January)
Suits & Sneakers Week (coaches wear sneaker with their suit during week of Jan. 22-28, 2018).
How the ACS can help
Regional & Local Office Structure (new ACS structure now in place to support coaches and leadership at every level- National, State, Local, School, etc.; staff can and will work hand-in-hand with coaches to make participation easy, fun, and impactful in their local community)
Built-in Programming and Participation Opportunities (easy to get involved and be successful; turn-key activation – provide tools, best practices, support, and guidance at every step of the way)
Provide Meaningful Charitable Opportunity for Team & Community (cancer has impacted nearly everyone’s life)
Promotional Ideas for Coaches vs. Cancer
- Sell Coaches vs. Cancer donation cards prior to the event and/or at the game and create a Wall of Hope with the names of those touched by cancer
- Coins for cancer / bring loose change
- Home Room competition
- Signed basketball give-away (Wilson might donate basketballs)
- Posters in memory of cancer victims
- Donate money to put up poster, with name of cancer survivor
- Paper airplanes at halftime: Fans pay $1 when they enter gym. At halftime, fans try to fly their paper airplane into the center of jump circle for prizes
- Coaches or players wear pink socks
- Sell specifically designed T-shirts with appropriate message Coaches vs. Cancer
- Cheerleaders wear pink sock and bows in their hair
- Some ADs donated $1 for each ticket purchased
- Classes set up donation bucket at home games
- Dress-down day for high school students
- Pink warm-up shirts and pink shoe laces
- Players wear game shoes with shirt, ties, dress pants and go into stands to collect
- 10 percent of gate sales donated
- Silent auction
- Proceeds from the sale of cookies and ice cream during lunch break
- Identify a cancer survivor from your community and sell pink carnations in his or her honor
