American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer® to Honor Syracuse University Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim with Circle of Honor Award
Jun 6, 2016
Award honors college coaches for their dedication to the Coaches vs. Cancer program

Atlanta, GA – June 6, 2016 – Syracuse University Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim will be presented with the 2016 Circle of Honor Award on Sunday, June 12 at the 17th annual Coaches vs. Cancer Invitational at the Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY.

The Circle of Honor Award is presented annually to a college coach who has shown extraordinary commitment and leadership with the Coaches vs. Cancer program’s fundraising, education and promotional initiatives.

Coach Boeheim has been involved with Coaches vs. Cancer since its inception in 1993, and has helped raise millions to benefit the American Cancer Society.  With his leadership and guidance, the Coaches vs. Cancer Basket Ball held annually in Syracuse, NY raised over $3.2 million during the 10-year event from 2000 to 2009. This Basket Ball became a model for other successful galas nationwide. Coach Boeheim and his wife, Juli, support and attend as many new Basket Balls nationwide as possible.

“The American Cancer Society, in conjunction with the NABC, is privileged to recognize Coach Boeheim with the Circle of Honor Award for his inspirational accomplishments to the Coaches vs. Cancer program,” said Scarlott K. Mueller, MPH, RN, chair of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors.

Off the court, Coach Boeheim has served as the national chairman of the Coaches vs. Cancer Council, and served as its national spokesperson. He has attended every national Coaches vs. Cancer golf tournament. Coach Boeheim has also received the prestigious Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award. 

“I consider it a great honor to receive the Coaches vs. Cancer Circle of Honor Award. Tremendous progress has been made in the fight against cancer since the American Cancer Society and the NABC first joined together. Coaches vs. Cancer is as committed as ever to finding a cure and I’m proud to be a part of that,” Coach Boeheim said.

Coach Boeheim and Juli created the Boeheim Foundation, and together with the Coaches vs. Cancer program, they are committed to creating a world free from the pain and suffering of cancer.

The award ceremony coincides with the 17th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Invitational, a two-day golf outing with prominent Division 1 NCAA basketball coaches, football coaches, and media analysts. The tournament will host 18 foursomes, and 300 attendees are expected to attend the Circle of Honor dinner reception.

Funds raised from this event will benefit the American Cancer Society in direct support of cancer research being conducted at the University of Rochester and the James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute in honor of the Boeheim Foundation.

Notable guests participating in the two-day invitational and ceremony include Jim Boeheim (Syracuse); Gerry McNamera (Syracuse); Mike Hopkins (Syracuse); Steve Lappas (CBS Sports); Sean McDonough (ESPN); Seth Greenberg (ESPN); Bill Raftery (CBS Sports); Joe Lunardi (ESPN); Jay Wright (Villanova); Phil Martelli (St Joes); Mike Dunleavy (Tulane); Mark Schmidt (St. Bonaventure); Jim Harrick (UGA, UCLA, retired); Jim Baron (Canisius); Ron Hunter (GA State); Tubby Smith (Memphis); Frank Beamer (VA Tech, retired); Jim Calhoun (UConn, retired); Bobby Cremins (GA Tech, College of Charleston, retired); Ben Howland (former Pittsburgh and UCLA); Carole Dacey-Young (VP, Sales & Marketing, CBS HealthWatch); Kip Wellman (Syracuse asst); Andy Noel (Cornell AD); Brian Earl (Cornell- Dinner only); Fran McCaffery (Iowa); Jerry Kill (Minnesota, retired); Eric Lautenbach (Nike); and Reggie Minton (NABC).

Coaches vs Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. This initiative leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs. Since 1993, coaches have raised more than $100 million for the American Cancer Society.

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