In September 2009, Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey joined several other coaches in speaking to Congress on behalf of health care reform as it relates to cancer research.

Brey Ranks Fifth This Year Among Coaches Vs. Cancer Fundraisers

April 27, 2010

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame men’s basketball coach Mike Brey ranked fifth nationally during the 2009 fiscal year in terms of fundraising for the Coaches vs. Cancer (CVC) Program sponsored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches on behalf of the American Cancer Society. With Brey’s help the Michiana-area program now has raised more than $2 million since 2002.

Brey and his wife, Tish, headlined a variety of initiatives that raised $196,906.14 in 2009. Included in the events planned and arranged by the Breys were a BasketBall formal dinner, a combined golf outing and celebrity reception – as well as the Three Point Attack! program in which fans pledge donations for each three-point shot hit by Brey’s Notre Dame basketball squad.

The Breys’ dedication and involvement with the CVC Program has continued to produce record-setting numbers in the South Bend and Michiana areas. Notre Dame ranks as a leader among universities and colleges across the country in funds raised for CVC and the American Cancer Society.

“We talk all the time at Notre Dame about the importance of service – and we couldn’t have better examples than those set by Mike and Tish Brey,” said Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick.

“They’ve been tireless in their dedication to the Coaches vs. Cancer Program, and they’ve taken advantage of every opportunity both locally and nationally to make a difference with their time and commitment. They’ve done so much more than simply lend their names to this cause – they’ve been active participants in the organization and execution of event after event.

“Mike and Tish have been absolute beacons on our campus and in our community when it comes to raising funds to fight cancer. We are fortunate to have them as part of the Notre Dame family.”

The Breys have been generous with their time and support for the program dating back to when Mike Brey was the head coach at Delaware. While at the Newark, Del., school, they were actively involved in the CVC cause and helped make Delaware one of the top fundraising schools in the country.

Brey was the recipient of the 2003 CVC Champion Award, given annually by the CVC National Council and the NABC. He has been a national board member of the Council since February 2003.

He and Tish have been honored with several awards for their efforts in the community and were recipients of the 2007 Franklin D. Roosevelt Award presented by the March of Dimes for their volunteer service to the South Bend area.

In September 2009, Brey was among five head coaches to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network Leadership Summit & Lobby Day on behalf of the health care reform with regards to cancer research.

Here’s a listing of upcoming events involving the Breys and the local CVC program:

Night of the Stars — Join us on August 6, 2010, for a fun and relaxed open house event to honor three of our local citizens who in their daily lives give of themselves through time and effort to fight the battle against cancer. Get your tickets today! CLICK HERE for more details.

Radiothon — A three day radio event held on the four WSBT Radio stations (Sunny 101.5, WSBT 960 am, Oldies 94.3, and Cat Country 99.9) on August 5 – 7, 2010. Donations will be accepted on-air as well as the Martin’s Supermarket at the corner of Ironwood and State Road 23.

Golf Classic & Auction — The Golf Classic 4-person scramble will be held at Morris Park Country Club on Monday, August 9, 2010. Fantastic team favors, prizes, contests, and an awards dinner reception are included. More than just a golf outing, it’s a fun golf experience like none other in the area. Reserve your foursome by CLICKING HERE and plan to join us! The live and silent auction, will be held on Sunday, August 8, 2010. Featuring one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia and experiences, this event is a must attend for the sports fan!

Crop For a Cure — This all day scrap and stamp event is the newest Coaches vs. Cancer event. This event, held next in November 2010, promises to be a great day to gather with friends and share scrapbooking ideas, shop local vendors, and attend creative workshops.

Brey’s efforts for CVC helped produce a national total of $5,085,733.03 raised in 2009 by institutions all across the country. The top 15 schools raised 74 percent of the net income:

1. $1,033,332.12
Philadelphia Big Five–Temple’s Fran Dunphy, Saint Joseph’s Phil Martelli, Villanova’s Jay Wright, Drexel’s Bruiser Flint, Penn’s Glen Miller

2. $766,901.52
Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim

3. $241,361.00
Gonzaga’s Mark Few

4. $210,962.58
Michigan State’s Tom Izzo

5. $196,906.14
Notre Dame’s Mike Brey

6. $177,706.31
Illinois’ Bruce Weber

7. $177,019.29
Penn State’s Ed DeChellis

8. $147,836.00
Iowa 4–Iowa State’s Greg McDermott, Iowa’s Todd Lickliter, Northern Iowa’s Ben Jacobson, Drake’s Mark Phelps

9. $143,614.00
Nevada-Reno’s Mark Fox and David Carter

10. $116,077.00
Pittsburgh’s Jamie Dixon, Robert Morris’ Mike Rice, Duquesne’s Ron Everhart

11. $114,680.00
UNLV’s Lon Kruger

12. $114,284.44
Siena’s Fran McCaffery, Albany’s Will Brown

13. $100,000.00
Clemson’s Oliver Purnell

14. $97,363.00
Oklahoma State’s Travis Ford

15. $90,562.00
New Mexico’s Steve Alford

— ND —