American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic 2023 E-Update | |
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Dear CvC Friends,
Cancer never has an offseason. That’s why we must never stop competing to support the American Cancer Society.
Like many of you, the impact of cancer is real for our family. Cancer took my mom nearly three years ago. My wife, Sherry, is a breast cancer survivor. This Mother’s Day will be special in Las Vegas as I honor them by supporting Coaches vs. Cancer.
Thank you for being a committed part of our team fighting back. Through your support of Coaches vs. Cancer, lives are being saved. We are going to win.
See you in Las Vegas.
Matt Painter
Purdue, Head Coach
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Patrons asked to provide all needed info asap
Participants who have yet to provide organizers of the Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic presented by Sanford Health with any needed registration information (click here to access the form) are asked to do so immediately.
This may include room information, handicaps, shoe size, shirt size and cell phone number. This information is critical for organizers as we work with key partners such as Park MGM and Nike.
Please provide your information to Samantha Molinero with the American Cancer Society at samantha.molinero@cancer.org or (954) 639-2101.
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Derek Thompson and his wife, Christin of NextGen Cattle Co. have been leaders in supporting the Las Vegas Golf Classic for the past nine years. In 2019, the Thompsons donated an additional $50,000 to the event in honor of Terry O’Bryan, Coach Lon Kruger's sister, who had recently passed away. Let’s get to know Derek even more.
What was your first job ever?
My first real job ever was while I was in college… I sold ADT security systems door-to-door. You find out a lot about yourself!!!
What is the best thing that has happened this year?
My daughter graduating from grad school and landing her first job.
Best life lesson you have learned and like to share?
I try to live each day by helping change someone’s life in a positive way and making some amazing memories with my family and friends.
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What is your favorite childhood memory?
Seeing my father build a business and showing me and my brother what hard work and sacrifice really mean.
If your life was a story, what would it be titled?
“Blessings and Dreams”
If you could travel back in time, which period would you go to?
The 90s… no cell phones, no social media. Life was simple, and I had a lot of fun.
Why are you involved in the CvC LV Golf Classic/fight against cancer?
Cancer has had a huge impact on my family as I have lost a lot of family to this horrible disease. When Lon put this together I was at the first event. To see what he has done along with his amazing team is absolutely incredible. I’m just thankful for him and the platform he has built which allows me and my wife to give back.
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For the past nine years The UPS Store and Tom Englund (pictured second from left) have provided enormous support for the Las Vegas Golf Classic. The UPS Store is the world's largest franchisor of retail shipping, postal, printing and business service centers providing convenient and value-added business services to the small-office/home-office market, corporate "road warriors" and consumers. Let’s get to know this dedicated teammate and cancer survivor more. | |
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What’s the first thing you would do if you became invisible?
You have to be thinking fun here... I would start moving things around in the house to freak out my family. Also, I'd jump in my truck and go riding around with the windows down, just to see how long it would take before I got pulled over.
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?
When I was 20 years old, I had the opportunity to travel to Europe. One of my days there was spent in Switzerland. I went on an excursion with five other people, none of whom spoke much English. Yet we seemed to communicate well because of our common interest. We took a ride in a helicopter up above the clouds at St. Moritz. We hele-skied down a freshly-powdered mountain with the clouds below us and the blinding sun above. It was probably the most spiritual moment I ever experienced. To close the experience my five new friends and I shared a few pints at the bottom of the mountain... where I learned that they, in fact, spoke perfectly good English and were just messing with me!
What has being a parent taught you about leadership?
I think life in sports has taught me the most about leadership; which in turn has taught me to be a better parent. The one thing about parenting is to be patient and take the time to teach. That lesson has also served me well in my business. Allow your team to take the lead sometimes - the people you lead need to feel they are empowered to grow. And understand we can all learn from our mistakes.
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If you could win an Olympic Gold Medal, what would you want it to be in?
I would have loved to have been part of the 1980 USA Hockey team. I can’t skate and I can’t shoot or handle the puck, but that would have been an incredible journey to take as a team and medal to win.
Best life lesson you have learned and like to share?
Relationships are the most precious things in your life. Never take them for granted. Family, friends, acquaintances, and competition. The love and respect you give to any and all of these will make you a happy person.
Why are you involved in the CvC LV Golf Classic/fight against cancer?
The people that make up this event are some of the greatest men and women of our community. Being part of this community is special. It is always important to give back and support anything that can make us stronger. We all know cancer has affected each of us directly or indirectly, so it's easy to see why we would want to be a part of it. Oh, and we get to play a few cool golf courses too!
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SUPPORT FOR HOLE HERO,
SIXTH MAN SPONSORS IS KEY
PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HONOR LOVED ONES
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There is still time to be a “Hole Hero” at the 2023 Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic presented by Sanford Health. The program allows participants to honor a loved one who has passed away from cancer, is being treated for cancer or is a survivor.
Growing sponsorships - such as Sixth Man and Hole Hero - is key to the Classic raising funds for the American Cancer Society.
"Hole Hero" sponsorships are $5,000 and will include signage on the course, exposure in e-newsletters and special recognition during LV Golf Classic events. Underwriters - who are also golfing in the event - will receive an additional free round of golf for four at either Southern Highlands Golf Club, DragonRidge Country Club or Reflection Bay Golf Club in the Las Vegas valley. If you or someone you know is interested in more information about the program or wants to renew from last year, please contact Lon Kruger at lonkruger12@gmail.com or Bridget Byrne at bridget.byrne@xsosofsuccess.com.
The group of committed Hole Heroes currently includes:
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NextGen Cattle Co. in memory of Bryan Lindstrom
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The UPS Store in memory of Joe Yale and Beth Sprude
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Wald Family Foods in honor of Curt Zwart
- National Basketball Retired Players Association, Inc.
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Danny and Dana Heatly in memory of Dale Beckham and Charles Heatly
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Coaches vs. Cancer Family in memory of Peter Mindock, Ted Seagroves, Wade Leavitt, Lew Hill, Billy Tubbs, Rick McGraw and Maureen Youngmeyer-May and proud to honor Coach Clark and Sharon Herrmann
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- MGM Resorts International
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Nike Basketball Family in memory of Sean "The Duke" Carlesimo
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Top of the World in memory of Gail McNally and in honor of Shelly Wilson
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Comprehensive Cancer Centers in honor of our survivors, fighters and angels
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Xs & Os of Success in memory of Keith Campbell and in honor of Ed Benson, Larry Allen, Vince Iodice and Joanne Ship
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Lon and Barb Kruger in memory of Don Kruger
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Nikki and Jamie Harris with the Phil Smith and Family Foundation in memory of Phil Smith and Tab Anderson and in honor of Stephanie Rudy
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Warren DeMaio in memory of Gerr, Joe and Big Billy
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Longtime Classic volunteer will be greatly missed
It is with great sadness that the Las Vegas Golf Classic team share the peaceful passing of a special teammate, Maureen Youngmeyer-May, last fall in Wichita, Kan. Recognized as a Classic founding member and later celebrated as part of the All-Decade Team, Youngmeyer-May’s enthusiastic behind-the-scenes volunteer work has been felt by all involved.
Youngmeyer-May started volunteering for the American Cancer Society with Relay For Life in Binghamton, NY. Her heart was immense, and she poured her soul into fundraising for cancer as a two-time breast cancer survivor. Read more here.
We will miss Youngmeyer-May’s smile and energy at this year’s Classic and know she will be there with us in spirit. We send our heartfelt condolences to her husband Phil (who is also a longtime Classic supporter) as well as her family and friends.
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Current/former head coaches scheduled to be part of the event next month include: | |
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Roy Williams
North Carolina (retired)
Greg McDermott
Creighton
Matt Painter
Purdue
Fred Hoiberg
Nebraska
Wayne Tinkle
Oregon State
Chris Crutchfield
Omaha
Bob Chipman
Washburn (retired)
Ron McHenry
Washburn (retired)
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Dana Altman
Oregon
Lon Kruger
CvC Council Chair (retired)
Andy Enfield
USC
Tubby Smith
High Point (retired)
Porter Moser
Oklahoma
Tim Miles
San Jose State
Ron Cottrell
Houston Christian
Jim Harrick
UCLA (retired)
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Fran McCaffery
Iowa
Brad Underwood
Illinois
Kevin Kruger
UNLV
Jerod Haase
Stanford
Eran Ganot
Hawaii
Reggie Theus
Bethune-Cookman
Pete Herrmann
Young Harris (retired)
Chris Klieman
Kansas State FB
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A special thank you to our sponsors | |
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Want to join the likes of Sanford Health, MGM Resorts International, NextGen Cattle Co., Nike, Top of the World, The UPS Store, Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Wald Family Foods, RBC Capital Markets and Xs & Os of Success and play an even bigger role in supporting Coaches vs. Cancer? All while gaining valuable exposure for your organization?
Find out more about becoming a sponsor of the 2023 Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic by contacting Bridget Byrne at bridget.byrne@xsosofsuccess.com or (702) 275-1124.
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