Milligan to particpate in Coaches vs. Cancer

Milligan College, Tenn. (Feb. 4, 2010) --- When Bryan College visits Steve Lacy Fieldhouse to take on Milligan Saturday; both schools will be helping out a great cause. The Buffs and Lady Buffs have designated Feb. 6, as their home game to support Coaches vs. Cancer, an initiative to support the American Cancer Society.

As part of the team initiative, both the Milligan men’s and women’s programs will pay admission to the game as each player will donate the full admission price for the cause. Each team member will wear pink accessories during warm-ups and the game, while the coaching staff plans to follow suit along with tennis shoes.

“The cancer research cause is one that is especially important to me because it is very important to my wife,” Lady Buff Head Coach Rich Aubrey said. “After having a couple of scares herself and dealing with it with a family member, she became actively involved in raising money and awareness.  She has participated in two Avon Walks for Breast Cancer Marathons, and she raised several thousand dollars for each event.”

Coach Aubrey said that his family was blessed each time his wife had medical problems as it turned out to be something much less harmful than cancer.

In addition to the players’ efforts, Milligan College will also have a donation area set up for fans to make donations at the game on Saturday. All of the donations will go to the American Cancer Society. Fans who want to make a donation can write a check, and the donation will go to their local chapter of the ACS.

Coaches vs. Cancer is a joint effort by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the American Cancer Society. The program began when former University of Missouri Head Coach and NABC member Norm Stewart, who was a cancer survivor, challenged fans to donate a dollar amount for every three points that his team put on the scoreboard. The American Cancer Society and NABC then took that challenge and shifted it to a nationwide effort in 1993 to help raise awareness for the fight against cancer. There are more than 2,000 college coaches involved in the program, which has raised more than $50 million since its inception.

“Cancer research, earthquake victims in Haiti, or people in need in our own neighborhoods, these are all great opportunities for us to help other human beings,” Aubrey said. “I hope our event will raise money and raise our awareness for caring for our fellow human beings. When we have an opportunity to help other human beings, it is a great blessing. I allow myself to miss those opportunities too often.  Thanks to the NAIA and Coaches vs. Cancer, this is one we won’t miss.”

The Lady Buffs and Lady Lions will tip-off at 2:00 p.m., while the Milligan men take on the Bryan men at 4:00 p.m.