Jim Boeheim has lent his name and energy to another organization committed to finding a cure for cancer.
Boeheim Named Spokesman For “Know Your Score: Fight Prostate Cancer”
4/1/2009 1:37:03 PM | Men's Basketball
Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday and Zero – the Project to End Prostate Cancer announced today that Syracuse University head basketball coach Jim Boeheim will serve as the 2009 national spokesman of the “Know Your Score: Fight Prostate Cancer” campaign.
Boeheim will help spread awareness about prostate cancer research and the importance of regular screening through national and regional interviews, and participate in Myrtle Beach's “Know Your Score” Celebrity Golf Invitational in August.
Diagnosed with prostate cancer in December of 2001, Boeheim underwent surgery at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and returned to coaching after missing only three games during the 2001-2002 season. In 2003, he guided the Orange to the 2003 NCAA Championship. Boeheim was the 2005 recipient of the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center's Inspiration Award for his efforts to raise awareness about prostate cancer and support cancer prevention education. Past Inspiration Award recipients include retired U.S. Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and figure skater Scott Hamilton. Boeheim is also one of the leaders of the national Coaches vs. Cancer program, a cooperative fund-raising program of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society.
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005, Boeheim recently completed his 33rd season as head coach at his alma mater. He ranks third among active Division I coaches in wins (799) and this past season established a Division I record for 20-win seasons with his 31st. The Orange have earned NCAA Tournament invitations in 26 of his 33 campaigns and have made three Final Four appearances. In 2003, Boeheim directed SU to the program's first NCAA Championship.
In 2008, Boeheim served as an assistant coach on Mike Krzyzewski's USA Basketball Team staff that captured the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
“I am thrilled to join the 'Know Your Score' team to help raise money for prostate cancer research,” said Boeheim. “I've been involved in athletics all my life and know that teams that are united have better chances of defeating their opponent. Prostate cancer is definitely one of the most difficult challenges that I've faced and I look forward to working with the strong team of Zero and Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday to help raise money and awareness of the number one health threat to men.”
In April of 2008, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday joined forces with Zero and launched the annual campaign to fight prostate cancer. The “Know Your Score” campaign slogan refers to the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test given to men 50 years of age or older to help detect prostate cancer. A low score on the PSA test is good news and is the best screening tool currently available when used with the physical prostate exam, according to Zero.
With the support of the entire Myrtle Beach golf community, more than $100,000 was raised in 2008 for prostate cancer research through closest-to-the-pin contests at area golf courses, a golf tournament and silent auction and fundraisers held at the PGA TOUR Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship. Zero brought their 40-foot “Drive Against Prostate Cancer Mobile Screening RV” to Myrtle Beach twice in 2008 and provided free prostate screens, that normally cost $200 in a doctor's office, to more than 750 men.
“Jim Boeheim is a Hall of Fame basketball coach and we are honored he will be working with us as the national spokesman of the 'Know Your Score' campaign to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer early detection and research,” said Jamie Bearse, COO of ZERO. “As a prostate cancer survivor, Coach Boeheim is uniquely equipped to deliver the message of prostate cancer awareness and early detection. Here's a man who's not only a class-act individual but a man who beat cancer and went on to win the NCAA Championship – he's an inspiration to thousands because of that.”
“We are excited about starting the second year of the 'Know Your Score' campaign and look forward to building on our success from the inaugural year,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “Myrtle Beach is known as the 'Golf Capital of the World' and we see more than one million golfers per year here, most of which are the exact Zero demographic, men who are 45 years of age and older. The entire Myrtle Beach golf community has made a long-term commitment to raise awareness of the dangers of prostate cancer and we believe that Coach Boeheim will convey that message to be screened early and often.
For more information on the campaign, visit KnowYourScoreMB.com or call 1-800-833-8798.
About Zero-the Project to End Prostate Cancer
Zero prostate cancer deaths. Zero prostate cancer cases and for those with prostate cancer it means a zero PSA. The name conveys what Zero stands for – zero tolerance for prostate cancer.
Zero is committed not only to reducing prostate cancer or alleviating the pain from the disease but to end it. Zero set a goal that all men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer will be cured or manage their illness with good quality of life, with the support they need to minimize physical and emotional suffering and to cope effectively throughout their cancer journeys. To accomplish this goal, Zero provides comprehensive treatment information to patients, education to those at risk and conduct more free screenings than ever before. Zero increases research funds from the federal government to find new treatments and assist in the funding for research in the pursuit of a better test for the disease. For more information about Zero, visit ZEROCancer.org.
About Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association of 76 championship golf courses, 107 golf package providers and five golf schools in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Founded in 1967, the organization has been and continues to be the driving force behind the growth of the Myrtle Beach area golf market. The originator of the “Stay and Play Package,” Golf Holiday provides non-biased information about the area accommodations and golf courses to assist golfers in making the most informed decisions when planning for their next vacation. Golf Holiday also hosts seven events and tournaments annually to help grow the game of golf and attract golfers to the Grand Strand during slower times of year. In addition to hosting the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament each spring, Golf Holiday also manages the PGA TOUR Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship – the world's largest on-site golf tournament, the Summer Family Golf Tournaments, the Spring and Fall Palmetto High School Golf Championships, the Veterans Golf Classic and the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing. For more information, call Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday at 1-800-833-8798 or visit GolfHoliday.com.
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