May 16, 2008

TUSCALOOSA - University of Alabama basketball coach Mark Gottfried has long been an active advocate in the fight against cancer, and in June he will join several other high profile coaches for the 2008 Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Invitational in Toledo, Ohio.

The tournament will be held at Inverness Golf Club on June 1-2. Joining him will by Syracuse head basketball coach Jim Boeheim, Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun, Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams, Minnesota basketball coach Tubby Smith, Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright, Saint Joseph's basketball coach Phil Martelli and College of Charleston basketball coach Bobby Cremins. Football coaches who will also participate include Auburn's Tommy Tuberville, Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer and Wake Forest's Jim Grobe.

Coaches vs. Cancer began in 1993 in collaboration with the National Association of Basketball Coaches. It focuses on year-round educational efforts and fundraising activities in support of the American Cancer Society's mission to eliminate cancer.

"This has been a great event for coaches to participate in where we can raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer," said Gottfried. "I have been very involved in Coaches vs. Cancer nationally and locally. The money it raises to help in research and the promotion of cancer awareness is so important."