Cardinal Basketball Joins Coaches Vs Cancer, Plus Catholic School Students Admitted Free

Basketball teams make fashion statement for American Cancer Society Suits & Sneakers Awareness Weekend, Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2009 across the nation.

Catholic Schools Appreciation Week means free admission at 4 pm men's game or 6 pm women's game, Saturday, Jan. 31 for all Catholic school students.

WHEELING, WV, Jan. 27, 2009 - Wheeling Jesuit University basketball coaches Danny Sancomb and Joe Key promote the importance of exercise and eating right to fight cancer as their teams take on Fairmont State Sat. Jan. 31 at the McDonough Center.

It's all part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers awareness weekend, a collaborative initiative of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the American Cancer Society, slated for the weekend of Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, 2009 across the nation.

Participating NABC-member basketball coaches, including WJU coaches Danny Sancomb, Joe Key and their staff, will wear sneakers instead of dress shoes with their usual game attire on Saturday as their teams take on Fairmont State University to demonstrate their support for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer. Fans are encouraged to join the effort and wear their sneakers to the 4 p.m. men's game and the 6 p.m. women's tip-off.

“Coaches vs. Cancer gives local basketball coaches an opportunity to speak to their communities about the ways in which cancer begins and can be treated. Athletes are community role models. Our visibility and participation in this national program give us a way to make a difference in our community and it just might save lives,” said Sancomb, athletic director and head men's basketball coach for the Cardinals. By lacing up sneakers with their suits, participating coaches nationwide spotlight the fact that while cancer remains a major health concern, everyone can take daily steps to reduce their risk of the disease.

Also on Saturday, Wheeling Jesuit University will be observing Catholic Schools Week by inviting all Catholic School students to attend the men's and women's basketball games for free. Any student who attends a Catholic school and identifies him/herself upon entrance will receive free admission. All Catholic school guests will be recognized at half time, plus there will be half-time prizes and give-aways at both games.

In addition to Coach Sancomb and Coach Key, other coach-participants who support the Coaches vs. Cancer program are some of nation's top coaches - five of whom have won NCAA championships (dates noted), including Mike Krzyzewski (Duke, 1991, '92, 2001); Jim Calhoun (Connecticut, '99, '04); Jim Boeheim (Syracuse, '03); Gary Williams (Maryland, '02); Roy Williams (North Carolina, '05); Tubby Smith (Minnesota, but won title at Kentucky, '98); Mike Brey (Notre Dame); Mark Few (Gonzaga); Phil Martelli (Saint Joseph's); Fran Dunphy (Temple) and Mark Gottfried (Alabama).

The Cancer Society wants everyone to know that for those who do not smoke, weight control, regular exercise and a healthy diet are the best ways to improve health and reduce cancer risk. Obesity has been shown to increase the risk for many forms of cancer, including breast, prostate and colon cancers and may account for 20 percent of cancer deaths in women and 14 percent in men.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of college and high school coaches across the country, Coaches vs. Cancer participants have raised nearly $45 million since 1993 to help save lives by educating and empowering people to avoid cancer or find it early, helping people facing cancer make decisions and overcome obstacles in their personal fight investing in research that yields groundbreaking discoveries into cancer's causes and cures and helping pass laws that fight cancer and keep our communities healthy.

Several events throughout the year will continue to highlight the productive work of Coaches vs. Cancer, including Fight Cancer In Style, an event for coaches' wives during the NCAA Final Four weekend; the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Invitational, June 7-8 at the Raleigh (N.C.) Country Club; the annual 2K Sports College Hoops Classic Benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer in November; and hundreds of community events such as galas, breakfasts and other activities across the nation. Additional information is available at www.cancer.org/coaches.
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, there are 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States.

For more information anytime, call toll free, 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.