CANCER BEGONE: Norse, Lions Raise Awareness
ESCANABA---There was a different look at college basketball games across the country over the weekend, as coaches wore their shirts and ties…and tennis shoes.
It was the “Suits and Sneakers” day to recognize people who have been touched by cancer, and to raise money for local cancer research and support programs.
Locally, the Bay College Norse and Finlandia Lions played men’s and women’s games on Saturday, and the coaches of both teams wore sneakers.
Bay College Athletic Director and Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Johnson said that this has been going on since 1998.
“Everybody, from our student-athletes, to all of the college coaches across the country, and just about everybody everywhere, has been touched by the disease,” Johnson said. “It’s a good opportunity for us to do our little part to bring awareness to it, and hopefully, raise some funds. Just do what we can to, hopefully, beat this dreaded disease.”
All of the Bay and Finlandia players stood in silence with signs in front of their hearts, bearing the names of people who have fought the disease and lost…or those have survived cancer. Many people in the stands also held signs during the emotional Moment of Silence.
Saturday’s event was a cooperative effort between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society. More $50,000 had been raised across the country on Saturday.
