It was a very good year for the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Las Vegas Golf Classic as $1.5 million was raised to help fight cancer and the largest field ever enjoyed MGM and Bellagio hospitality and golf at Cascata, Shadow Creek and Southern Highlands.
Former UNLV head basketball coach created the event 15 years ago and now it is a who’s who for college basketball coaches annually. His son, Kevin, is now the UNLV head coach.
“Not only is Las Vegas a destination that coaches and supporters want to come to, those involved in our city have made this event special and made sure it’s providing as much money directly to the fight against cancer as possible,” said Kruger, who retired from coaching in 2021. “Las Vegas has a special giving spirit and the Classic is an example of that. It’s a team effort to beat this nasty disease.”
In all, nearly $12 million has been raised over the years by the golfers but also supportive sponsors including Sanford Health, the presenting sponsor for the sixth time. MGM Resorts International is the longtime host sponsor.
“We believe a patient’s care should not be determined by their zip code – that’s why we continue to improve access to cancer research and clinical trials,” said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health. “If you’re fighting this disease in a small town, we promise to deliver the same quality of care you would get in a big city. Our partnership with Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society is a natural extension of that mission, generating critical funds to extend services to patients and survivors across the country.”
The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The Las Vegas Golf Classic – hosted by MGM Resorts International – has become a signature event of the national program.
The younger Kruger is happy the tradition continues.
“This is something so many coaches look forward to year-round,” said Kevin Kruger, who is entering his second season leading UNLV and serves on the Coaches vs. Cancer Council. “It’s an amazing event and all involved have a terrific time, but everyone is there for one reason – to beat cancer.”
Coaches participating
Dana Altman, Oregon
Brad Underwood, Illinois
Kevin Kruger, UNLV
Fran McCaffery, Iowa
Greg McDermott, Creighton
Tubby Smith, High Point – retired
Roy Williams, North Carolina – retired
Matt Painter, Purdue
Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska
Porter Moser, Oklahoma
Andy Enfield, USC
Jerod Haase, Stanford
Tad Boyle, Colorado
Wayne Tinkle, Oregon State
Wes Miller, Cincinnati
Chris Crutchfield, Omaha
Tim Miles, San Jose State
Ron Cottrell, Houston Baptist
Todd Eisner, Winona State
Johnny Tauer, St. Thomas
Bob Chipman, Washburn – retired
Chris Klieman, Kansas State – Football
Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech – Football
Gar Heard, NBA – retired
Spencer Haywood, NBA – retired
CJ Watson, NBA – retired
Ricky Sobers, NBA – retired
Kevin McKenna, Oregon
Brandon Chappell, UNLV
John Cooper, UNLV
Jud Kinne, Houston Baptist
Alan Huss, Creighton
Joe Washington, NFL – retired
Pete Herrmann, Young Harris – retired
Lindy La Rocque, UNLV WBB
Ron McHenry, Washburn WBB
Sherri Coale, Oklahoma WBB – retired
Craig Robinson, NABC
Dr. Karen Knudsen, American Cancer Society
Erick Harper, UNLV AD
Gene Taylor, Kansas State AD
Dale Clayton, Nations of Coaches
Russ Ortiz, MLB – retired
Danielle Kang, LPGA
Kendall Dye, LPGA
Alex Kang, PGA
Craig Barlow, PGA
JT the Brick, Radio Personality
Sean Farnham, ESPN
Dalen Cuff, ESPN
Scott Rochelle, National Basketball Retired Players Association
Eric Lautenbach, Nike
The 2022 Golf Classic was hosted by MGM Resorts International. NextGen Cattle Co. is the 2022 All-Star sponsor. Rounding out the team of generous supporters are Top of the World, The UPS Store, Nike, Wald Family Foods, Pulte Homes, Coolibar, Xs & Os of Success and Comprehensive Cancer Centers.
About Coaches vs. Cancer
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 $140 million to support the Society’s mission.
About the American Cancer Society
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.