Blue Devils Raise $1.1K at Coaches v. Cancer Game
It was a special night to remember. The Huntington High School girls' basketball team's last regular season game saw the Blue Devils top visiting Bellport to claim a spot in the Suffolk Class AA playoffs, honor six seniors during a pre-game ceremony and raise $1,100 to help fight cancer.
It was a "Coaches vs. Cancer" game and the Huntington community provided impressive support for the initiative. The event grew out of a partnership the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Caner Society formed to battle cancer.
Here in Suffolk, "Coaches vs. Cancer is designed to bring together Section XI basketball coaches in the fight against cancer," said Marissa Bergmann, a Huntington girls' basketball assistant coach. Last year the games raised more than $30,000 across the county.
Blue Devil head coach Mike Kaplan wanted to get Huntington involved in the cause this year. Huntington players wore special Coaches vs. Cancer t-shirts during warm-ups. "On the back of the t-shirt they wrote the name of an individual they were playing for," Bergmann said.
Bergmann assumed responsibility for organizing and coordinating the fundraiser. She visited local stores in the area and solicited items that were raffled off. Businesses participating in the effort included Aroma Nail & Spa II, Angel Tips Nail Spa, Crazy Yogurt, Lion in the Sun, Aromatherapy, Juniors, Al Marco, Ferns, La Bottega, Power One Health & Fitness, DGB Landscaping, Sensational, and Christopher's Restaurant.
"All proceeds from the raffles went to the American Cancer Society," Bergmann said. Blue Devil players supported the cause by selling Coaches vs. Cancer "sneaker cards" that were hung on the gym doors the night of the event. The cards contained the name of the person supporting the fundraising project. Players also contributed baked goods that were sold at the game.
"Coaches vs. Cancer was a huge success," Bergmann said. "I was very pleased with the turnout for the game and the support we received from the community. It just shows that Huntington is a community that comes together to support a worthy cause. We raised an abundant amount of money that is going to help many people. I want to thank all the coaches, players, parents and volunteers that helped throughout the event."
Blue Devil girls' basketball coaches said they intend to make the initiative an annual event in Huntington.