YOU heard it here first, so write this down: The University of Hawaii Rainbows and Wahine basketball teams are going to the final four this year. ’Bows, Wahine worthy
of this final fourNow before you rush off that e-mail telling me you were at last Sunday's exhibition and that I need to have my head examined, let me explain.
I'm not talking about the real Final Four, although any college basketball program worth its mud should have that as its goal, too. I'm talking about the Coaches vs. Cancer final four.
It's a goal that is well within the Rainbows' and Wahine's reach.
So what is Coaches vs. Cancer, you ask? It's a nationwide fund-raising program inspired by former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano, who died of cancer four years ago. It is part of an alliance between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Hawaii ranked fifth nationally in donations last year, raising $109,000 in cash and in-kind services, said Marcie Farias, who is the project's coordinator for the Honolulu unit of the American Cancer Society.
THE money is used to fund cancer research, education and services.
Syracuse was the top fund-raiser last year, bringing in $213,027. Rounding out the top four were Minnesota, Kansas and Colorado, which all raised less than $10,000 more than Hawaii.
Farias said the project's goal this year is to be in that top four, and as you can see, that goal is definitely attainable.
Here's how Hawaii's fund-raising project works: Donors can either make a one-time pledge or pledge an amount for each 3-point field goal made by the Rainbows, the Wahine or both teams.
The Rainbows have averaged 124 3-pointers made the past two years. The Wahine have averaged 111.
Honorary chairman for this year's event is KFVE broadcaster Jim Leahey, who was diagnosed with leukemia last fall.
Leahey said Hawaii's generosity toward the project is a reflection of how the university's basketball programs have come of age in recent years.
"It has to be one of the purest crowds you can have," Leahey said. "The fans love the team and love the game. Celebrating the teams' coming into the national spotlight is just joyous.
"It's more than a game now, it's an event."
Leahey said he drew inspiration from Valvano during his own period of recovery.
"He was a tremendous coach," said Leahey, who met Valvano when North Carolina State played in the Rainbow Classic.
"He always was in the shadow of North Carolina and Dean Smith. (But) he just believed that his team could achieve things."
THE achievements included the NCAA title in 1983 and the Rainbow Classic title in 1987.
Leahey said he particularly remembers watching Valvano on an awards show near the end of the coach's life. The show's director apparently signaled Valvano that his speech was running a bit long.
"And he said, 'Look, I have tumors in my body and they tell me that I'm going long? I'm under different rules,' " Leahey recalled.
A rule Valvano always lived by was to start each day with a positive attitude.
Leahey echoes that sentiment.
"It's a dreadful disease," he said. "It can take your life, but it cannot take your soul or your mind."
An inspiration to us all.
To find out more about the project, contact the American Cancer Society at 595-7544, extension 303. I'm sure they'd be happy to send you a pledge form.