10th Anniversary "Basket Ball" A Success
4/26/2009 4:09:33 PM | Men's Basketball
Jim and Juli Boeheim's 10th Anniversary Coaches vs. Cancer "Basket Ball" on April 25 was a rousing success with close to 700 attendees and more than $425,000 raised for the American Cancer Society.
The event was once again held at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, N.Y. The night of entertainment and dinner featured master of ceremonies Tim Welch, current ESPN commentator and former Syracuse assistant and Providence head coach, and comedian Chris Bliss.
Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation and CEO, was awarded with the Fan of the Year Award for his dedication to the Coaches vs. Cancer program. The Vicky Swanson Fighting Spirit Award winners were the Boeheims. In honor of their award, a room at the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in Rochester will be named after them.
The Boeheims and Peggy and Jim Carrick served as co-chairs of the event.
The dollars raised through ticket sales, a live auction and a silent auction helped push the total amount raised in the 10 years of the event past the $3 million mark. The live auction featured round-trip travel, lodging, and two tickets to watch the 2010 NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis as guests of the Boeheims. The silent auction featured a number of autographed items, including a ball signed by the 2009 NCAA Champion North Carolina Tar Heels.
Syracuse basketball assistant coaches Bernie Fine, Mike Hopkins and Rob Murphy were on hand, as was director of player development/head manager Lazarus Sims. New SU football coach Doug Marrone also attended, as did director of athletics Daryl Gross.
Since 1993, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised more than $40 million for the American Cancer Society. For the sixth year in a row, the Central New York Coaches vs. Cancer program has been the top fundraiser in the nation.
