KU coaches Bill Self and Bonnie Henrickson are encouraging fans to join their team in the fight against cancer.
How? By pledging money for each 3-point basket their teams make during the upcoming season.
The money goes to the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer program.
Not sure how much to pledge? Here’s how the teams have fared during the past few seasons.
The women:
• Last season — 127.
• 2008-2009 — 162.
• 2007-2008 — 120.
The men:
• Last season — 262.
• 2008-2009 — 217.
• 2007-2008 — 271.
Stacie Schroeder, of the American Cancer Society, said KU typically raises about $40,000 each year. Last year, donors gave between 10 cents and $10 per 3-point basket. But the majority gave $1.
KU has participated in the Coaches vs. Cancer 3-Point Attack program since at least 1993.
“In our area, KU’s like the top dog,” she said, laughing.
During the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in March, KU agreed to serve as a guinea pig for a new online program. Fifty-four people participated. The team made 15 baskets, which generated $1,548 in donations.
This year, KU fans will be able to make pledges online during the regular season. The site — ku.3pointattack.org — is expected to be ready before the first game Nov. 2 against Washburn University.
Can’t wait until then? Contact Schroeder at 438-5607 and she will send a pledge form.
KU student McKenzie Breidenthal, 26, of Kansas City, Kan., participated in the program several years ago. She signed up at a table during a home game and pledged $1. She ended up donating more than $200.
“I remember it being more than I thought it would be, which I guess is good because that means we were doing pretty well that season,” she said.
Breidenthal is excited about the new online program and plans to participate again. But this time she won’t pledge as much.
“We have a lot of good 3-point shooters, so I probably won’t go over the dollar mark, just to be on the safe side,” she laughed. “You know a player like Brady Morningstar could probably take me out of my budget.”
And if you are a K-State fan, there’s a new Coaches vs. Cancer program for you, too. Fans can pledge money for each free throw the team makes this season. Last year, they made 734.
“Coach Martin is amazing. He is so supportive and he’s ready to do anything for Coaches v. Cancer. So we really appreciate his support,” Schroeder said.
She said the free-throw program was offered last year, but was not highly publicized. It raised $734. K-State also raised money by selling sticks with Martin’s face on them for $1. Those raised $4,500.
It was so successful that coach Self’s picture will be popping up this year at Allen Fieldhouse.
“It’s kind of a brand new ballgame,” Schroeder said, of fundraising.
