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.”
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February 3, 2008
Coaches sport tennis shoes, lead band
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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