TU Men’s Basketball Partners with American Cancer Society to Turn 3-Point Shots into Life-Saving Work Against Cancer

The Coaches vs. Cancer 3-Point Challenge lets fans compete for the most donations for every 3-pointer their team scores

TULSA, Okla. — Making 3-point shots this basketball season takes on even more meaning this year for head coach Frank Haith and The University of Tulsa men's basketball team. The Golden Hurricane will square off against teams across the nation to fight cancer as part of the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer 3-Point Challenge.

"Cancer affects all of us in some form or fashion," said Haith, who currently serves on the Coaches vs. Cancer Council. "For me personally, I have a sister with stage-four colon cancer and she has been battling the disease for the last 10 years. There's nothing better that we can do than to continue to bring awareness and work together to fight this dreaded disease. It's something that is very important to me and many coaches across the country."

The Coaches vs. Cancer 3-Point Challenge allows 191 college and high school basketball teams nationwide to use their spotlight on the court to raise money and awareness against cancer. Fans can pledge a donation for each 3-point shot that TU makes over the final 16 games of the regular-season (Jan. 3-March 4) to support American Cancer Society research, education and patient programs at pledgeit.org/cvc18-tulsa.

Fans also have the option of a fixed donation and Haith will start the Golden Hurricane campaign with a contribution of $500.

"Sports fans are passionate, and through initiatives like this one, we are channeling that passion into fun, yet meaningful, ways to help save lives from cancer," said Sharon Byers, chief development and marketing officer, American Cancer Society. "With these schools and the many other sports partners who support our work, we're revolutionizing how the American Cancer Society teams up with partners to make a real difference for real people every day."

The 3-Point Challenge will pit teams against rival schools to raise the most funds, as fans follow the leaderboard on http://www.3pointchallenge.org/ to see who will become the 3-Point Challenge Champion.

"The 3-Point Challenge gives basketball fans the chance to support their teams and compete against their rivals, while fundraising for a great cause," said David Doan, vice president for strategic sports alliances, American Cancer Society. "We are excited to relaunch a fundraising program that started it all, now in the digital space, while staying true to what drives sports fans – competition."

TU will open its 3-Point Challenge campaign on Jan. 3 when the team hosts UConn at 6 p.m. The Hurricane will host a group of cancer survivors who will be part of pregame ceremonies with the team and sit behind the team bench. During one timeout, survivors will shoot baskets to add to TU's 3-pointer total. Fans also will have a chance to donate to the American Cancer Society and the team's 3-Point Challenge goal during the contest.

More than 20 years ago, former University of Missouri head basketball coach Norm Stewart provided the vision and inspiration for Coaches vs. Cancer. A cancer survivor and National Association of Basketball Coaches member, he challenged fans to pledge a dollar amount for each 3-point shot his team made during the season. This 3-Point Attack concept evolved into the nationwide effort uniting coaches, fans, players, and communities in the fight against cancer, and is now known as, the 3-Point Challenge. To learn more about Coaches vs. Cancer, visit coachesvscancer.org.

About Coaches vs. Cancer
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. This initiative leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs. Since 1993, coaches have raised more than $100 million for the American Cancer Society.

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TU Men’s Basketball Partners with American Cancer Society to Turn 3-Point Shots into Life-Saving Work Against Cancer

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