The Hawk

Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Sports

The Walk with the Hawks is the latest event hosted by Coach Martelli and Saint Joseph's.

As basketball season nears for teams across the nation, many squads enter with expectations of what they will get from this year's campaign: accolades, postseason berths, and primetime media coverage.

For the Saint Joseph's men's and women's basketball teams, however, this year begins with giving back to the community in their participation with the Walk with the Hawks, sponsored by Coaches vs. Cancer.

Prior to the Midnight Madness festivities on Oct. 19, members of both teams will walk to raise money for cancer research. Saint Joseph's is one of three schools, including Syracuse University and Temple University, that are hosting this type of event for the first time.

The event's organizer, Coaches vs. Cancer, is a leading national organization that uses basketball to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. A collaborative effort between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), Coaches vs. Cancer has been in existence since 1993 and currently features participation by more than 500 colleges and 100 high schools nationwide.

Coaches vs. Cancer's governing council consists of several business leaders and 14 collegiate coaches, including the head coaches at each of the schools participating in the Walk: Phil Martelli at Saint Joseph's, Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, and National Chair Fran Dunphy at Temple.

While in its first year of existence, this idea has long been a topic of discussion for the Coaches' council.

"Coach Boeheim had been floating this idea for several years," said Martelli. "Last year, at the Final Four, we agreed to attempt to raise funds."

This is only one of many events hosted by Coaches vs. Cancer. Other events held locally include golf tournaments, black-tie galas, and annual Tip-Off Breakfasts after Selection Sunday. The crowning event is the annual basketball tournament, currently sponsored by 2K Sports. The final of the 16-team tournament is held at Madison Square Garden prior to the start of conference play, following regional events hosted by the tournament's top seeds.

For Martelli, this event is special and different from all others.

"The other events target raising money with corporations," said Martelli. "The Walk allows us to take the cause and touch everybody, especially students and families."

Continued...

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