March 23, 2006
Notre Dame, Ind. – If you’ve seen the way Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey attacks a 2-3 zone, you know that cancer should be scared.
The American Cancer Society and Coach Mike Brey are teaming up with Nestle, Hopman Jewelers, Adidas, Papa John’s Pizza and the South Bend Tribune to fight cancer at the Coaches vs. Cancer BasketBall Gala. The event will be held Friday, May 5 at the Palais Royale in South Bend. Tickets are available by calling the American Cancer Society at (574) 257-9789.
The Coaches vs. Cancer BasketBall is a black tie gala event to benefit the American Cancer Society. Coach Mike Brey and his wife, Tish, are honorary chairs of the event and volunteer a tremendous amount of time and talent to make the event a success.
“Coaches vs. Cancer is a powerful way for our community to be a part of the fight against cancer,” said Coach Brey. “If we all continue working together, the end of this horrible disease is within our reach.”
This year’s feature entertainment is comedian Eric Hunter and music by New Odyssey. The master of ceremonies is ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas. The evening also includes dinner, dancing, a live auction and recognition of “Fan of the Year,” Ed O’Rourke.
Proceeds from the BasketBall, including sponsor contributions, go towards the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and service programs. Currently, there are four American Cancer Society funded research grants at Notre Dame, totaling almost three million dollars.
Since its inception in 1993, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised more than $25 million dollars to benefit the Society’s efforts. Coach Brey and his wife Tish have been strong supporters of the Coaches vs. Cancer program, spanning back to their days at the University of Delaware. They helped make the University of Delaware into one of the top fundraising schools in the country, raising more than $230,000. Now, they help put Notre Dame among the national leaders in the fight against cancer. Since 2000, the Notre Dame Coaches vs. Cancer has raised more than $675,000.
In April 2003, Coach Brey was the recipient of the Coaches vs. Cancer Champions Award for his efforts. In February 2003, he was appointed to the Coaches vs. Cancer National Council.
For more information about tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact the American Cancer Society at (574) 257-9789.
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, the Society has 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.