American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic 2020 E-Update

February 2020 l Issue No. 3

Dear Coaches vs. Cancer Supporters,  On behalf of MGM Resorts , I'd like to welcome you back to Las Vegas for the 2020 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic . We look forward to once again hosting this very special event. We take great pride in joining forces with all of you in the fight to eliminate cancer and are working closely with the American Cancer Society in preparation for another tremendous event. Together, we are committed to raising even more money this year to knock out this deadly disease that has impacted every one of us, either directly or indirectly.

We'd like to thank Coach Lon Kruger , and all of the coaches nationwide, for their efforts and dedication in making this one of their signature events. We look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you.

George Kliavkoff President of Entertainment & Sports MGM Resorts International

Rucker announcement creates buzz GRAMMY Award-winner to perform Monday evening The Bigger Monday party at this May’s Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic presented by Sanford Health feels a little bigger this year. There’s been a buzz since December’s announcement that Darius Rucker will have a private performance at the party on May 18. “Definitely a lot of energy around the announcement,” said Lon Kruger , Oklahoma head coach and founder of the LV Golf Classic. “We’re thrilled to have Darius involved and we know it means a lot to him to be involved with Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society . Through (South Carolina coach) Frank Martin , we’ve been looking at the opportunity for a couple of years and to make it work is special.” Rucker first attained multi-Platinum status in the music industry as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish . Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, he has celebrated four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart and nine No. 1 singles at Country radio, earning a whole new legion of fans. In 2014, Rucker won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his 4x Platinum-selling cover of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel.”

Top of the World a LV Classic fixture Passionate sponsors are key to event's success It’s true the Top of the World foursome is usually the best-dressed team each year at the Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic presented by Sanford Health . But the company’s impact on the Classic goes much deeper.  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. Collecting the Top of the World designed and produced Coaches vs. Cancer hats - which are donated for the event - has also become a tradition for the participants.

“ Scott Shuler and Top of the World not only mean so much to the Classic, but they care deeply about the event and the impact it has to support Coaches vs. Cancer,” said Lon Kruger , Oklahoma head coach and founder of the Classic. “This event wouldn’t be what it is today without Top of the World."   The sports lifestyle brand is the leader in collegiate-licensed headwear and apparel, designing headwear and apparel for 700+ colleges and universities.

Scott Shuler (third from the left) with the Top of the World team and friends in 2019.

“Being a part of the Coaches vs. Cancer team has meant so much to us at Top of the World over the years,” Shuler said. “We love teaming with all the coaches and business leaders from throughout the nation. The Las Vegas Classic is something we look forward to each year knowing we are going to have a great time while working towards a cure for cancer.”

Player information, payments due soon New website available for Classic Player information is needed for those with foursomes in the upcoming Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic presented by Sanford Health . Click here to complete the registration form and return it to Angela VanBrackle with American Cancer Society at angela.vanbrackle@cancer.org as soon as possible. Player information and payments are due by April 10, 2020 .   More information (including the event schedule) is also available on the Classic's website .  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 5/17 and 5/18 are included with tournament registration fees. The American Cancer Society is unable to provide complimentary rooms for participants on Saturday (May 16) or Tuesday (May 19). MGM Grand has offered discounted room rates (on standard rooms in the Grand Tower) for participants on those dates - Saturday, $250 plus taxes/fees and Tuesday, $120 plus taxes/fees. Contact Angela VanBrackle (email address above) to inquire about staying additional nights.

Cancer death rates falling Thank you for being part of the fight Our efforts are making a difference. The Cancer death rate declined 29% from 1991-2017, including a 2.2% drop from 2016-2017 , the largest single-year drop in cancer mortality ever reported. The steady 26-year decline is driven by long-term drops in death rates for the four major cancers: lung, colorectal, breast and prostate.  Please keep fighting with Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society . You are making an impact and saving lives. THANK YOU.

Who is in for the Classic in 2020? The following coaches/celebrities are scheduled to be part of the event this May:

Roy Williams North Carolina

Dana Altman Oregon

Lon Kruger Oklahoma

Bruce Weber  Kansas State

Bob Chipman Washburn (retired)

Fran McCaffery  Iowa

Brad Underwood Illinois

Eric Musselman  Arkansas

Frank Martin South Carolina

Tubby Smith High Point

Matt Painter Purdue

Greg McDermott  Creighton

Dave Pilipovich Air Force

T.J. Otzelberger  UNLV

Porter Moser Chicago Loyola

Greg Kampe  Oakland

Mick Cronin UCLA

Derrin Hansen  Omaha

Fred Hoiberg Nebraska

Bob Marlin  Louisiana

Ron Cottrell Houston Baptist

Jim Harrick  UCLA (retired)

Mike Montgomery Stanford/Cal (retired)

Chris Crutchfield  Arkansas

Reggie Theus NBA (retired)

Gar Heard NBA

Kevin McKenna  Oregon

Jud Kinne Houston Baptist

Joe Washington  Oklahoma/NFL

Carlin Hartman Oklahoma

Pooh Williamson  Oklahoma

Kevin Kruger UNLV

Tim Buckley  UNLV

DeMarlo Slocum  UNLV

Joe Holladay  North Carolina (retired)

Doc Sadler  Nebraska

Jim Molinari  Oklahoma

Brandon Chappell  Lamar

Ron McHenry  Washburn

Kathy Olivier  UNLV

Jim Livengood  Hall of Fame AD

Gene Taylor  Kansas State AD

Desiree Reed-Francois UNLV AD

JT The Brick  Radio Personality

Sean Farnham ESPN

Seth Greenberg  ESPN

Eric Lautenbach Nike

A special thank you to our sponsors

Special Moments A memorable Classic 2019

Sponsorships for 2020 Classic available now

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 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 2020 Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic by contacting D.J. Allen at  dj.allen@xsosofsuccess.com or (702) 339-0991.

Learn More

Have questions about the 13 th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic?  Visit the Classic's new website or contact Angela VanBrackle  with American Cancer Society at angela.vanbrackle@cancer.org or (702) 891-9021.

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|  cancer.org | Photo credit: David McClister (Darius Rucker image)

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