FOX Sports Radio once again helped share the story of the Las Vegas Golf Classic across the nation while raising awareness of the coaches’ fight against cancer. 

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Coaches vs. Cancer program, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The Las Vegas Golf Classic has become a signature event of the national program. 

“FOX Sports Radio’s involvement in the Classic has been critical for our growth in recent years,” said Oklahoma basketball coach Lon Kruger, the event’s founder/chair. “To have JT ‘The Brick’ and Doug Gottlieb broadcast live from the event brings the Coaches vs. Cancer program, the Classic and its supporters national attention. JT and Doug are personally invested in the fight against cancer which makes the relationship even more powerful.”

On Monday, May 21, FOX Sports Radio’s Doug Gottlieb broadcast his show live from Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas – one of the courses used during the event. Later that evening, FOX Sports Radio’s JT “The Brick” broadcast live from Topgolf Las Vegas, the sight of that evening’s festivities for the Las Vegas Golf Classic. 

JT also emceed the event’s official celebration on Sunday evening, May 20 at MGM Grand, the fifth consecutive year he has been involved with the Coaches vs. Cancer event.  

Sanford Health joined the team last year as the presenting sponsor and made its announcement about moving forward as the presenting sponsor at the event this year. “Defeating cancer takes a team, and we are proud to continue our support for this event that brings together such great people who are committed to helping find a cure,” said Kelby Krabbenhoft, president and CEO of Sanford Health.  

Coaches and participants played two days of golf at Shadow Creek and Southern Highlands as well as came together for private parties Sunday night (at MGM Grand) and Monday night (at Topgolf Las Vegas).

Coaches and celebrities joining Kruger for a mix of fun and fundraising during the 3-day event were:

Dana Altman, Oregon

Roy Williams, North Carolina

Frank Martin, South Carolina

Tim Miles, Nebraska

Fran McCaffery, Iowa

Matt Painter, Purdue

Sean Miller, Arizona

Brad Underwood, Illinois

Marvin Menzies, UNLV

Greg McDermott, Creighton

Dave Pilipovich, Air Force

Jud Kinne, Houston Baptist

Jack Murphy, NAU

Bob Chipman, Washburn - retired

Jim Harrick, UCLA - retired

George Karl, NBA

Gar Heard, NBA

Craig Neal, NBA/Former New Mexico coach

Kevin O’Connor, Former NBA exec

Bobby Jack Wright, Oklahoma – retired

Chris Crutchfield, Oklahoma

Carlin Hartman, Oklahoma

Kevin McKenna, Oregon

Kevin Kruger, Oklahoma

Ron McHenry, Washburn

Joe Holladay, North Carolina - retired

Jim Livengood, Hall of Fame AD

JT the Brick, FOX Sports Radio

Doug Gottlieb, FOX Sports Radio

Sean Farnham, ESPN

Eric Lautenbach, Nike

"The Coaches vs. Cancer event is something we look forward to hosting each year,” said Scott Sibella, president and COO of MGM Grand.  “MGM Resorts is known throughout the world for offering premier entertainment and sports options. This is a terrific opportunity to use those elements and team with coaches throughout the nation to help raise dollars to fight cancer.”

The 2018 Golf Classic was hosted by MGM Grand and Topgolf Las Vegas. NextGen Cattle Co. is the 2018 All-Star Sponsor. Rounding out the team of generous supporters are Top of the World, The UPS Store, Nike, UPS, Xs & Os of Success, Tilted Kilt and Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

During its first 11 years, the event has netted over $4.5 million in support of American Cancer Society programs including prevention, early detection and research; free local patient and caregiver services including transportation, lodging, wigs and head coverings; a patient navigator at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas; and cancer-related guidance available 24/7 at 800-227-2345 and cancer.org. 

For more information regarding the Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic, contact (702) 891.9021 Angela VanBrackle of the American Cancer Society at 702.891.9021 or Angela.VanBrackle@cancer.org. 

The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The initiative leverages the personal experiences, community leadership and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The program seeks to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living among students, faculty and staff, fans and the community at large. Since its inception in 1993, the American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer initiative has raised more than $110 million to support the Society’s mission.

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 25 percent decline in the cancer death rate in the U.S. since 1991, driven by less smoking, better treatments, and earlier detection. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org. 

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