FOREST, Va. | Prior to the 2018-19 Division III basketball seasons, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference announced a continued partnership with V University virtual campus for supporting cancer research. Following a successful first year of participation, the ODAC men’s and women’s basketball programs built upon the momentum from 2017-18 by conducting events in conjunction with select home games to benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, as well as a few other subsidiaries and causes. Through those events, conference schools generated more than $6,900 of charitable donations in addition to programming efforts to support both organizations.
"It has been great to see our basketball programs embrace V University for a second year," said ODAC commissioner Brad Bankston. "I hope our continued collaboration with this worthwhile charity has enhanced the public’s awareness of the mission of the V Foundation and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in supporting cancer research. I’m happy that the ODAC has played a small part in that pursuit over the last two basketball seasons."
RELATED: About V University | About the V Foundation | About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
One new initiative in 2018-19 for several women’s basketball teams was participation in the Play4Kay Free Throw Challenge. During the month of February, teams secured pledges and gifts, earning donations for every free throw made during games. The ODAC was well represented with the University of Lynchburg and Washington and Lee University finishing as the top two fundraisers among all participating Division III programs.
"Every year there is energy and excitement as ODAC basketball teams support causes that are important to their respective programs,” explained Carla Flaherty, head women's basketball coach at Roanoke College and chair of the ODAC Women's Basketball Coaches Committee. "Through these games, teams are able to raise funds and bring awareness to causes that they care deeply about."
V University is a collaboration between two non-profit leaders in fundraising -- the V Foundation for Cancer Research and Kay Yow Cancer Fund. All funds raised through V University platforms will benefit the V Foundation and Kay Yow Cancer Fund and will support young scientists researching general cancers and all women’s cancers.
"Having the Old Dominion Athletic Conference partner with V University was an awesome experience for our teams as well as our fans," said Tom Palombo, head men's basketball coach at Guilford College and chair of the ODAC Men's Basketball Coaches Committee. "The men’s and women’s teams in our league brought attention to an organization that has done so much to raise awareness to beat cancer. We are excited to continue this relationship in the future."
The V Foundation, most visibly through its annual "Jimmy V Week" with key collaborator ESPN, and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund resonate with individuals from all arenas in the continued search for better treatments and cures for cancers of all types. The collaboration through V University brings together two of the most influential charitable organizations in athletics, furthering the growth of their resources and reaching collegiate campuses and audiences in new engaging avenues.