MARAUDER BASKETBALL RAISES NEARLY $14,000 FOR CHARITY
OVERVIEW
Marauder Basketball - both the Men's and Women's team, along with Hunter Fiat and AVC's Associated Student Organization held their annual Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society at the Wed., Feb. 17 games at Marauder Gym. The night raised at least $13,670. The total is the second best in the four years of the classic. It raises the Marauder four year total to 53,928.
COACHES vs. CANCER
The fundraiser is an annual event put on by Coaches vs. Cancer, which was founded by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Marauder Basketball has participated in these yearly events for the last six years. All proceeds from the fundraising will benefit the American Cancer Society.
FUNDRAISING
AVC Supeintendent/President Ed Knudsen knocked down five free throws in 60 seconds, while Newton Chelette, AVC's Athletic Director and Dean of Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance and Visual and Performing Arts, but also a Marauder record breaking and Hall of Fame basketball coach, had his best night at the line with 28. The total of 33 free throws had a pledge amount of $198 per free throw, making the free throw donation $6534 at this point.
Additionally, $4800 was donated when Chelette hit a free throw blindfolded (on his ninth attempt). Of that $1,000 each was donated by John Calandri, Perry Valas Kantes and R. Rex Parris.
Additionally there were $2160 in one time donations and another $180 from a raffle.
LAST THREE YEARS
2015 - Marauder Basketball had $10,255 donated to the American Cancer Society. AVC Supeintendent/President Ed Knudsen knocked down nine free throws in 60 seconds, while Newton Chelette, AVC's Athletic Director and Dean of Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance and Visual and Performing Arts, but also a Marauder record breaking and Hall of Fame basketball coach, was just off last year's total with 20. The total of 29 free throws had a pledge amount of $145 per free throw, making the free throw donation $4205 at this point.
Additionally, $2,000 was donated when Chelette hit a free throw blindfolded (on his fourth attempt of a possible five). Of that $1,000 was donated by Calandri Farms. This year both Knudsen and Chelette vowed to donate $100 each if they shot fewer free throws than two Marauder student athletes - Mikeisha Moore and Ismail Ali. Vice-mayor of Lancaser Marvin Crist added another $200 to that total. The two students hit 46 to add $400 to the total.
2014 - Marauder Basketball had $19,360 donated, nearly double last year's total of $10,819 in 2013, which was considered astronomical for community college. It put AVC's two year total at $30,179.
AVC Supeintendent/President Ed Knudsen knocked down 12 free throws in 60 seconds, while Newton Chelette, AVC's Athletic Director and Dean of Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance and Visual and Performing Arts, but also a Marauder record breaking and Hall of Fame basketball coach, was just off last year's total with 22.
The total of 34 free throws had a pledge amount of $351 per free throw, making the free throw donation $11,934 or more than last season's overall total.
Additionally, $3,100 was donated when Chelette hit a free throw blindfolded (on his second attempt of a possible five).
2013 - The Marauder Basketball annual Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society saw not only both Marauder teams win, but also $10,819 for the cause. Chelette, a Marauder record breaking and Hall of Fame basketball coach, hit 24 free throws in the 60 seconds allotted. There were pledged $347 per free throw for a total of $8,328 via the free throws. Additionally, nine individuals came forward and donated $100 each when Chelette was able to make a free throw blindfolded. There was $1200 pledged without regard for the free throws. And, thanks to AVC's Associated Student Organization, that night's tickets receipts of $391 were donated.
The total caused Howard Davis, CCCAA Management Council, Men's Basketball Representative to cite: "Please allow me to provide further evidence of how special this AVC effort was: ...In 2010-11, the leading college raised a little more than $2,300. In 2011-12, the leading college raised a little more than $2,400. Clearly, Antelope Valley College's work to raise nearly $11,000 is BEYOND EXTRAORDINARY."