Tuesday, October 11, 2011

IMG Academies and Dick Vitale team up for Shoot Down Cancer event

The IMG Basketball Academy along with ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale will host the Shoot Down Cancer Free Throw Shootout on October 15th, 2011 at the IMG campus.

The event will benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research, started in 1993 by ESPN and legendary NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano, who lost his life to cancer. The V Foundation has raised more than $100 million and awarded cancer research grants in nearly 40 states.

The event coincides with October's Breast Cancer Awareness. It's purpose is to help in the fight against breast and other cancers as well as raise awareness about healthy living in young people.

All players and coaches of the IMG Basketball Academy will be participating in the shootout, and the rest of the IMG Academies community has been encouraged to join in and participation is open to the general public.

During the event, participants will shoot 150 free throws while raising money based on donations contributed. Anyone can be a part of the event by pledging per free throw, giving a lump sum or by signing up to participate (limited to 40 spots).

In addition to the free throw shootout, guests will have the opportunity to honor loved ones who have fought or are currently fighting cancer by writing their name on commemorative basketballs that will then become a part of a permanent “Shoot Down Cancer Memory Wall.”

All participants will receive Shoot Down Cancer award medals and Under Armour performance shirts for their participation. Additionally, there will be a handful of prizes given out to both participants and to guests in the crowd.

Structure
Each of the 12 baskets at the IMG Basketball Academy will consist of a 10-person team. In a round, each person on each team will shoot 20 free throws. Once all ten members of each team have completed the 20 free throws, teams will rotate to another hoop in the gym. Each hoop will include a cancer fact aimed to help raise awareness for all participants.

Prizes
Awards will be given to the following participants:

* Top 5 Individuals
* Top “Hoop” Team
* All participants will receive a medal for their involvement and support

Event Schedule
Time Description
8:00am Gym opens
8:00-8:30am Individual registrations
8:40-9:00am Opening comments and Academy viewing of the Jimmy V ESPY speech
9:00-11:30am 1st Half - 80 free throws per person
11:30am-12:00pm Halftime (appetizers for lunch)
12:00-2:30pm 2nd Half - 70 free throws per person
2:30-3:00pm Awards presentation

Some may ask why simply shooting free throws will take nearly 6 hours. The answer is simple: the structure of the event promotes patience and supporting others.

These same characteristics are symbolic of the characteristics exhibited by those who have battled cancer. Making progress in the fight against cancer takes time, patience, and persistence. Shoot Down Cancer will take time, patience, and persistence.

To make a donation to the IMG Basketball Academy Shoot Down Cancer event, please visit our online donation page by clicking here. To make a donation by check, please mail check to the address at right. Thank you for your participation and support of the IMG Basketball Academy Shoot Down Cancer Free Throw Shootout.

Please direct any questions to:

Danny DuChene- Shoot Down Cancer Organizer
danieljduchene@gmail.com
507.412.3525

Nate Vander Sluis- Head Junior National Coach
Nate.Vandersluis@imgworld.com
941.752.2625

Blake Ulrich- IMG Academies Director of Events
Blake.ulrich@imgworld.com

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