American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic 2021 E-Update |
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Dear Coaches vs. Cancer Teammates,
It’s March. Conference tournaments are in full swing and the NCAA Tournament tips next week. There will be buzzer beaters and heartbreaks. Memories will be made and tears will be shed.
Coaches across the nation will be in the spotlight during the upcoming weeks - several of them with ties to the Las Vegas Golf Classic. And as many fans view those coaches based purely on the performance of their respective teams on the court, those involved with Coaches vs. Cancer understand just how much these men do with their platforms to help others.
It’s been a privilege to be involved with Lon Kruger and coaches from around the nation since the inception of the Classic 14 years ago. The commitment to support the American Cancer Society is real. The love for others is real. All you have to do is attend the event each year and feel it.
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Thank you to all the coaches who lead our efforts and thank you to fellow sponsors - including Sanford Health and MGM Resorts - who are dedicated to making the Las Vegas Golf Classic one of the premier events of its kind in the nation.
Enjoy the Madness - and then we’ll see you in Las Vegas in May.
Derek Thompson
NextGen Cattle Co.
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(Derek Thompson and his wife, Christin, have been sponsors of the Las Vegas Golf Classic for the past seven years. In 2019, the Thompsons donated an additional $50,000 to the event in honor of Terry O’Bryan, Lon’s sister, who had recently passed away.) |
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Sanford Pentagon making its mark in sports world
Unique venue in Sioux Falls supports Coaches vs. Cancer
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To Coaches vs. Cancer supporters, Sanford Health is recognizable as the presenting sponsor of the Las Vegas Golf Classic. But Sanford Health is a player in the college basketball world, as well.
The non-profit healthcare system owns and operates a 500-acre sports complex in Sioux Falls, S.D. The cornerstone of that complex is the Sanford Pentagon, a 160,000-square-foot, five-sided facility featuring nine basketball courts, including the 1950s/1960s-inspired Heritage Court. The venue combines state-of-the-art amenities - including high-definition video boards and executive suites - with period-specific finishes that are a nod to the nostalgic days of basketball.
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The 3,250-seat Pentagon is home to Sanford POWER Basketball Academy, Sanford POWER Volleyball Academy, the NBA G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, Augustana University Men's and Women's Basketball, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Women’s and Men’s Basketball tournaments and the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.
This season has been especially interesting for the venue due to its combination of medical access and basketball capabilities. The Pentagon is on track to have hosted more than 35 NCAA Division I basketball games in 2020-21, including visits by the then No. 1 men’s and women’s teams - Gonzaga and South Carolina, respectively.
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Top of the World delivers for Classic - again
Invested sponsors, players remain key to event's success
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Collecting the Top of the World designed and produced Coaches vs. Cancer hats from the Las Vegas Golf Classic has turned into an annual tradition for many golfers.
Licensed with over 550 colleges across the country and serving retailers nationwide, Top of the World is the leading collegiate headwear supplier in the United States.
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Top of the World was the first Starting Lineup sponsor to commit when organizers restructured the Classic prior to the 2014 event and it’s been a key sponsor every year since. It has also donated the iconic hats for every Classic since 2014.
“It’s been amazing to watch the Classic grow into not only one of the signature events for Coaches vs. Cancer, but also into a key fundraising event for the entire American Cancer Society,” said Scott Shuler, president of Top of the World. “We value the opportunity to team with all the coaches and business leaders from throughout the nation to fight cancer. It’s special people doing special things.”
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And Shuler (pictured) and his team have been leading the way for years.
“We don’t get tired of telling the story about Scott and Top of the World leading the charge to take the Classic to a different level seven years ago,” said Lon Kruger, Oklahoma head coach and founder of the Classic. “But they didn’t stop there - they’ve been with us every step of the way. They are truly committed to the Classic and to fighting cancer.”
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LV Golf Classic coaches readying for March Madness
Eleven coaches had programs ranked during 2020-21 season
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March Madness is here and those involved with the Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic presented by Sanford Health will recognize many coaching names during the NCAA Tournament.
Eleven coaches involved with the Classic either currently have their teams ranked or have been ranked in the Top 25 this season. They include: Dana Altman (Oregon), Mick Cronin (UCLA), Andy Enfield (USC), Lon Kruger (Oklahoma), Fran McCaffery (Iowa), Greg McDermott (Creighton), Porter Moser (Chicago Loyola), Eric Musselman (Arkansas), Matt Painter (Purdue), Brad Underwood (Illinois) and Roy Williams (North Carolina).
So as you root for your team this March, be sure to root for all the LV Golf Classic coaches. We appreciate them leading our team as we fight cancer.
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"Hole Hero" program seeking new supporters in 2021
Program underwrites golf, honors loved ones
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The popular "Hole Hero" program will return for the 2021 Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic presented by Sanford Health and organizers are looking for new supporters.
The program allows participants to honor a loved one who has passed away from cancer, is being treated for cancer or is a survivor. While helping organizers to offset the golf provided to players during the event, the program allows underwriters to celebrate those in their lives impacted by cancer.
"Hole Hero" sponsorships are $5,000 and will include signage on the course, exposure in e-newsletters and special recognition during the Sunday night event at Park MGM. Underwriters - who are also golfing in the event - will receive an additional free round of golf for four at either Southern Highlands Golf Club or DragonRidge Country 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 lkruger@ou.edu or D.J. Allen at dj.allen@xsosofsuccess.com or (702) 339-0991.
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Registration, payments due by April 16
Event just two months away - secure your plans
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Player information is needed for those with foursomes in the May 16-18 Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic presented by Sanford Health. Click here to complete the registration form and return it to Samantha Molinero with American Cancer Society at samantha.molinero@cancer.org as soon as possible. Player information and payments are due by April 16.
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Those interested in playing - but who have yet to secure a foursome - please contact Lon Kruger at lkruger@ou.edu regarding the status of the waiting list.
Hotel accommodations on the evenings of Sunday, May 16 and Monday, May 17 are included with tournament registration fees. The American Cancer Society is unable to provide complimentary rooms for participants on Saturday (May 15) or Tuesday (May 18). Park MGM has offered special room rates (for the first 50 rooms booked each night) for participants on those dates - Saturday, $263 plus taxes/fees and Tuesday, $79 plus taxes/fees. Contact Samantha Molinero (samantha.molinero@cancer.org) to inquire about staying additional nights.
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Who is in for the Classic in 2021?
The following coaches/celebrities are scheduled to be part of the event this May:
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Roy Williams
North Carolina
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Bob Chipman
Washburn (retired)
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Frank Martin
South Carolina
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Greg McDermott
Creighton
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Wayne Tinkle
Oregon State
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Eric Konkol
Louisiana Tech
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Dave Pilipovich
New Mexico
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Tim Miles
TV Personality
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Porter Moser
Chicago Loyola
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Ron Cottrell
Houston Baptist
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Chris Crutchfield
East Central
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Rick Byrd
Belmont (retired)
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Jim Harrick
UCLA (retired)
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Reggie Theus
NBA (retired)
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Joe Washington
Oklahoma/NFL
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Jud Kinne
Houston Baptist
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Joe Holladay
North Carolina (retired)
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Mike Montgomery
Stanford/Cal (retired)
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Jim Livengood
Hall of Fame AD
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Gene Taylor
Kansas State AD
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Desiree Reed-Francois
UNLV AD
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JT The Brick
Radio Personality
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A special thank you to our sponsors |
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Sponsorships for 2021 Classic available |
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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 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 2021 Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic by contacting D.J. Allen at dj.allen@xsosofsuccess.com or (702) 339-0991.
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Have questions about the 14th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic?
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You can always contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-227-2345 or at cancer.org/contactus.
The American Cancer Society | 250 Williams Street | Atlanta, GA 30303
Copyright 2021 American Cancer Society
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