American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic 2025 E-Update

May 2025￨Issue No. 6

Since the inception of the Las Vegas Golf Classic in 2008, Mike Clark has led the Kansas State contigent’s efforts to support the event. The legendary Wildcat baseball coach and recently-retired Sr. Director of Development has helped K-State supporters raise over $1 million for Coaches vs. Cancer in that time.

Little did Clark know he would one day be a cancer survivor. Read his powerful words below.   

When people ask me what I learned from my almost 7-year life after I was diagnosed with colon cancer, I always tell them, "you don't know what you don't know."

At a scheduled colonoscopy that I could have blown off, I found out I had a cancerous tumor on my colon. I had no symptoms, no warning signs. Had I missed the procedure, well, I wouldn't have known what I needed to know. For the first time in my life, I thought about my expiration date. The next six weeks of my life was a waiting game. Until the surgery and test on the colon and lymph nodes, I worried, prayed, and tried to stay positive.

I was so lucky that we caught it early. The cancer hadn't advanced out of the tumor. Just a resection would take care of it. No chemo, no radiation. I have appointments every 6 months to test that I am still cancer-free!! 

Personally, cancer has made an impact on me every day. Cancer is mentioned in my morning prayers - for those who are fighting it, and for those friends and loved ones who have lost their battle. We have started a Coaches vs. Cancer golf outing. After a successful first year, we are looking forward to doubling the number of golfers and money raised for the local American Cancer Society here in Kansas City. (Clark is pictured with CvC's senior director Natalie Morrison.)

Cancer can seem so overwhelming, so depressing, so sad. But we have to stand up together and do what we can to continue to make positive strides, achieve better outcomes and learn more about "what we do not know." Ultimately, to make cancer, in all of its forms, beatable. 

In just a couple of weeks we have an opportunity to make that positive difference in Las Vegas for everyone who is and will be impacted by cancer. Let's enjoy the golf, the great courses, the wonderful volunteers, and the fellowship of our great coaches and friends. 

As our good friend and Classic supporter Larry the Cable Guy says, "Let's Git-R-Done!!”

See everyone soon!!

Mike Clark

Cancer Survivor

K-State's enthusiastic contingent in 2024

Coach Kruger, CvC Las Vegas Golf Classic and the Dormie Network are teaming up for a game-changing partnership!

One Network. One Membership. Unmatched.

The Dormie Network will provide a one-year membership to their network of properties to participants who make an additional gift of $10,000. If you secure your membership before the Classic, you will have the opportunity to join Coach Lon Kruger and be highlighted during one of our evening events. Click here to learn more about the Dormie Network.

“There are certain relationships that are a game changer,” Classic founder Lon Kruger said. “Dormie Network is committed to Coaches vs. Cancer. We are so thrilled with what they are offering to our golfers.”

For more information or to secure your Dormie Network one-year membership, please contact Ryan Daley at ryan.daley@cancer.org. A video recap of a recent information session about this exciting opportunity can be viewed here.

*Notice: To activate a Dormie Network national membership, the donor cannot live or own a vacation home within approximately 75 miles of any Dormie Network property. 

ArborLinks Holes #4, #6 and #7 Aerial

A special thank you to our sponsors

Want to join the likes of Sanford Health, MGM Resorts International, NextGen Cattle Co., Nike, The UPS Store, Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Wald Family Foods, Gilead Oncology, Dormie Network, Maui Babe, Guardant Health, Glass Solutions Foundation 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 2025 Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic by contacting Bridget Byrne at bridget.byrne@xsosofsuccess.com or (702) 275-1124.

Have questions about the 18th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic? 

Visit the Classic's website or contact Ryan Daley with American Cancer Society at ryan.daley@cancer.org or (702) 908-9061.