The Hawk

Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: News

The basketball, cheerleading, and dance teams all took part in the walk to fight cancer.

On Friday night, Saint Joseph's Men's Basketball Head Coach Phil Martelli learned two things that he already knew: his school cares, and they are crazy about basketball.

With Division I schools starting practice this past week, many programs like to hold events to rally students and the community and to kick off the new season. Most schools give away free T-shirts or other prizes, bring in special guests, and treat their fans to a scrimmage. Saint Joseph's did that and more.

Members of the community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and neighbors, joined together to fight cancer. Saint Joseph's was one of only three schools in the country selected to host the new Coaches vs. Cancer event to start the season. Syracuse and Temple were the other schools chosen. Temple basketball is led by Coaches vs. Cancer National Chairman Fran Dunphy, who is a close friend of Martelli.

"I think that [being selected] speaks volumes about the community here at Saint Joseph's," Martelli said. "It shows their willingness to participate and give back time and support as a whole."

Although the weather was gloomy and damp, the rain held off for long enough for participants to complete the couple of laps around campus. While it was free to participate, donations were accepted to help fight the disease and fund research for a cure. Both the men's and women's basketball players joined together to show their support.

"Our guys are excited to give back; they feel that it is something important to do," Martelli said before the walk. "As a whole, [the coaches] try to raise $1 million dollars every year to fight this disease. The nature of the disease is terrible. It not only affects the stricken but also the entire family."

Saint Joseph's chipped in over $2,500 on Friday alone. In all, over $30 million has been raised by the coaches since 1993. The walk ended with the crowd entering Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse to meet this season's teams. Approximately 2,000 people showed up to cheer on the Hawks. Both the cheerleaders and the dance team helped evoke the fans' enthusiasm.

"The fans were great. Everyone was decked out in St. Joe's gear and they were totally energetic and enthusiastic," Michelle Hotz, '11, said.

Being a freshman, Friday was Hotz's first taste of basketball at St. Joe's.

"I'm glad the season is finally beginning," Hotz said.

Martelli gave a pep talk that further rallied the fans.

"He said that the support is the reason why the team succeeds and that if everyone comes out this season that he promises they will win all season," Hotz. "Coach Martelli definitely helped get the fans pumped for the upcoming season."

Hawks fans are hoping the team can regain the national spotlight it controlled back in 2003-04. Regardless of how many wins or losses the basketball team accumulates on the court, they have made themselves and the community a winner in a much bigger and more important fight: the fight for a cure.

To find out more about Coaches vs. Cancer or to donate, visit coachesvscancer.com.

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