Coaches vs . Cancer

NABC’s Minton Honored with Diversity In Cancer Research Grant

Coaches vs . Cancer has united coaches and fans nationwide to help the American Cancer Society defeat a common enemy - cancer . And Reggie Minton has been a leading force in the effort for nearly 30 years .

In early June at the Coaches vs . Cancer Golf Invitational and Circle of Honor Dinner in Wisconsin, Coaches vs . Cancer unveiled the Reggie Minton Diversity in Cancer Research Internship Grant, which will serve as a single grant named in his honor supporting the Society’s broader Diversity in Cancer Research Internship grant program . By providing the opportunity to pursue cancer research as a career, this program will make a direct and potentially life altering impact in the lives of more than 20 undergraduate students .

“Throughout his career, Reggie Minton was a tireless supporter of the life-saving work of Coaches vs . Cancer and a staunch advocate for the cause of diversity and inclusion,” said Craig Robinson, executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches . “The American Cancer Society Reggie Minton Diversity in Cancer Research Internship Grants bring together those two passions and are a fitting tribute to Reggie’s legacy . ”

High-quality research requires a research community comprised of people with unique perspectives and contrasting experiences . To help improve inclusion and diversity in the scientific community, the Society is launching an inaugural program to engage undergraduate students of diverse backgrounds in hands-on cancer research and provide career development support in the hopes they will pursue a career in research . The initial $250,000 for the grant was provided by Sanford Health .

Minton joined the NABC staff in 2000 after 16 years as head men’s basketball coach at the United States Air Force Academy . He retired late last year after serving as NABC deputy executive director since 2004 . He has been intimately involved with Coaches vs . Cancer helping the program to raise over $135 million since its inception in 1993 . “I’m humbled by this gesture from the American Cancer Society, but more importantly, I’m excited about the Research Internship Grant program’s potential to make a difference in the fight against cancer,” Minton said. “Throughout my career I’ve seen first-hand the impact of ACS and Coaches vs. Cancer, and I’m confident this new program will serve to further their life-saving work . ”

Coaches throughout the nation - including Iowa coach Fran McCaffery and his wife, Margaret - rallied to support the development of the internship program because of Minton’s impact on Coaches vs . Cancer over the decades .

“Reggie’s dedication to Coaches vs . Cancer helped to make the program what it is today for the NABC and the American Cancer Society,” said Natalie Morrison, ACS’ strategic director of Coaches vs . Cancer . “While Reggie will be missed, his impact on the fight against cancer will continue through the commitment of coaches across the nation to Coaches vs . Cancer . And that commitment saves lives . Reggie’s efforts over the years have made a remarkable impact in the fight to save lives . We are so fortunate to call Reggie a friend, a teammate and a coach . ”

If you are interested in helping to secure additional funding or would like to make a donation in honor of Reggie Minton, please contact Fran and Margaret McCaffery at margaretmccaffery@me .com or Natalie Morrison at natalie . morrison@cancer .org .

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