SME and Rockhurst raise money for Coaches vs. Cancer

This upcoming friday, the Lancer boys basketball team will have their toughest test yet, playing their arch rival Rockhurst. The game is arguably the most anticipated game of the year, and one of the most important for the Lancers. But their battle between the two teams won’t be the only fight they are taking on.

Coach Hair and Coach Nusbaum, the Rockhurst head coach, will be wearing suits, but with tennis shoes. For  the organization Coaches vs. Cancer.

Both coaches attended a Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser in October along with KU head coach Bill Self, K-State head coach Frank Martin and Missouri head coach Mike Anderson.

“Nusbaum thought it would be a great idea to be apart of it,” said Hair.

The Rockhurst vs. East game falls on the same day that colleges fundraise for Coaches vs. Cancer, and since three of the founder’s daughters attend east, Hair thought it was a good idea to go along with it.

“This game is widely attended,” said Hair, “and we felt like we could turn this great rivalry into great exposure for Coaches vs. Cancer.”

After former Missouri coaching great Norm Stewert encouraged fans to pledge a dollar for every three points scored. The American Cancer Society and the NABC (National Associate for Basketball Coaches) transformed this simple action into a nationwide effort to unite coaches accross the U.S. to give hope and help to all that are fighting Cancer.

According to their website, more than 2,000 Division I, II and III college coaches and more than 100 high school coaches are involved in the program. Coaches vs. Cancer and the Jimmy V foundation have raised nearly $90 million together in the fight against cancer. Their mission is to eliminate cancer as a life-threatening disease.

But not only are the coaches helping out, students play a big role also. Chick-Fil-A has been providing a contest between the two schools. Which ever school donates or eats the most Chick-Fil-A during this week, will earn a check for Coaches vs. Cancer in their name.

Unfortunately, Rockhurst has the lead.

“It just feels great to give back to the community and to engage students and the community alike for a positive outcome no matter the score of the game for both SME and Rockhurst,” said Hair. “We are lucky to be able to have this opportunity.”