By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

Missouri Southern men’s basketball coach Robert Corn and assistants Ronnie Ressel, Matt Laur and Dale Hunter wore tennis shoes with their suits.

And officials J.R. Reid, Gregg Harrison and Dick Osterbuhr tooted blue whistles.

All was part of the annual Coaches vs. Cancer effort by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Norm Stewart, former University of Missouri coach and a cancer survivor, started the program by challenging fans to pledge an amount for each 3-point goal made by their team during the season.

The American Cancer Society and NABC adopted the concept in 1993 and expanded it into a nationwide effort. Since its inception, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised almost $40 million.

“It’s always been something pretty special,” Corn said. “Early when they first started with pledging so much for every 3-point shot, we participated in that, and the last couple of years, we’ve worn the tennis shoes.

“I think it’s a very special day because it’s about everybody in the arena who has been affected one way or another by cancer.”

Corn’s day also included directing the Missouri Southern pep band during a timeout early in the women’s game. Under Corn’s direction, the band played the school fight song, and women’s coach Maryann Mitts directed the band late in the men’s game.

“Brian (Fronzaglia, pep band director) asked me if I would do it,” Corn said. “And evidently he asked Maryann, too.

“The last few years I’ve developed a bond with the pep band. I thought it would be fun to do. ... I was not very good at it. Several people told me to stick with my day job.”