University of Wisconsin-Madison’s men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan signed a check for $66,130 to be donated toward Coaches vs. Cancer at his Shooting Down Cancer event Thursday.
Ryan and his wife donated $1 for every UW-Madison student who attended the event, $10 for every free throw made and $1,000 for every half-court shot made. In total, 2,090 UW-Madison students attended the event and 59 made half-court shots.
The Ryan’s initial goal was to surpass the $41,279 they raised last year, according to a UW-Madison men’s basketball news release.
UW-Madison sophomore Jen Karger said one of the best parts of the event was that it was open to everyone.
“It’s cool he donates the money, but its nice to get the whole school involved,” Karger said.
The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that aims to empower basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer.
Ryan said the cause is exciting because the annual Coaches vs. Cancer gala in Wisconsin is now one of the top in the country.
“It’s great, [the money] stays in Wisconsin,” Ryan said. “I still think the cure’s going to be found here.”
Redshirt junior guard Josh Gasser said the event is a great way to honor the fans who support the basketball team.
“The fans are really what make our season a lot of fun … and it’s great seeing how many people come out and care about the event and our team,” Gasser said.
Other athletic teams, including the women’s softball team and the football team also joined in to support the event.
UW-Madison junior Sean Malloy, who sank a half-court shot on the Kohl Center court, expressed his excitement at being able to support the cause.
“I think its great what he’s doing, that he’s doing it a second time,” Malloy said. It’s a good tradition to start… its awesome I got to do my part.”
At one point in the night, Ryan estimated he would “pay” around $40,000. Shortly after, there was a $14,000 spike in 25 minutes.
“If they keep making shots, we’ll keep paying,” Ryan said.
