The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
Westlake High’s ‘Coaches vs. Cancer 2015’ is in the books – the record books – after raising $5500 the weekend of Jan. 30.
This was the 4th year for the event and the weekend brought in more money than the past three.
All of the proceeds from the sale of concessions, T-shirts and student lead events during the week and weekend will be donated to benefit the American Cancer Society, the V Foundation and a local organization, Kids in Flight.
Boys Varsity Assistant coaches, Kevin Considine and Dave Fazekas led the planning and execution of this “Demon Nation” effort.
The week kicked off with the Leadership Challenge students with. Kathy McGinty and student leader Alexis Mance selling t-shirts to WHS students and staff. They also created posters to promote the event and took t-shirt orders from all Westake Schools.
On Thursday, all basketball student athletes, boys organized a school wide fundraiser headed by Mindy Clark and student leaders Alli Collins and Cameron Brown.
New this year, coaches wanted to bring student athletes into the fundraising and awareness loop and the students rose to the challenge, raising over $550 with this one fundraiser.
Staff and students were encouraged to wear their Pink C v C t-shirts on Friday. That night, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday night the games took place. Teams warmed up in their pink C v C t-shirts, the coaches wore their C v C t-shirts and all were ready for some basketball.
Friday night included a performance by the Dribbling Demons and on Saturday night the 5th grade teams scrimmaged, the dance team performed and an award ceremony was held for WHS Varsity soccer athlete, Omar Salem. The pep band was there both nights to add to the excitement.
“We were kind of like the “Q” without the pyrotectnics,” said Coach Considine.
“We know that just about everyone in the gym tonight knows someone who has been affected by cancer. Whether you are an athlete, a coach, or a fan, I’m sure there are hundreds of stories in this gym alone. While no story is any more important than another, please know that our thoughts are with all of you,” said Westlake Coach Dave Fazekas. “To illustrate how important and close to home this cause is, we would like to share two examples on the court right now.
“For Lutheran West, Tom O’Hara died of pancreatic cancer in 2011 at the age of 47 – he was a teacher, well known coach in the area, and longtime supporter of Lutheran West, but most importantly he was the father of Andrew who will be tonight’s senior captain for the Longhorns.
“And for Westlake, and as many of you know Coach Considine has been putting up his own fight against cancer over the last two years. Andrew and Coach, you both have the support of everyone here on the court and in the gym tonight!!”
Honorary Coach for the night was Mr. Jim Lawhead, former Lorain Catholic mentor who tutored both Fazekas and Coach Januzzi of Lutheran West.
