Oakland University head basketball coach, Greg Kampe has been coaching at the school for 31 years. Even after making the NCAA tournament three times, and winning five conference championships, chances are, unless you live in the Detroit area; you probably don’t know much about Kampe or his Golden Grizzles, however; Kampe is looking to put the school on the map another way.
Upon learning of the loss of two of his player’s parents last season, Kampe was inspired to do something. He wanted to join in the fight against cancer, and being a mid-major in suburban Detroit; there were limits to what he could do. That’s where his connections come in.
Kampe is using his friendship to some of the top NCAA basketball coaches in America to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The star-studded group includes: John Calipari (Kentucky), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), John Beilein (Michigan), Roy Williams (North Carolina), Sean Miller (Arizona), Bob Huggins (West Virginia), Steve Alford (UCLA), Josh Pastner (Memphis) and Rick Barnes (Tennessee). Yahoo Sport’s Dan Wetzel has the details on the “once in a lifetime” event:
You bid on a specific coach during an open online auction that began Monday and ends May 1. The winner and two friends come to Detroit and spend the night of May 31 at the MotorCity Casino. That evening there will be a dinner, an exclusive, private party featuring Kampe and his peers – 10 coaches total – and the people who won the bid for each of them. It’s a relatively small affair (the entire party will have 40 people at it). It provides plenty of opportunity to not just hang around your coach, but the other guys as well. The next day everyone heads to Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., to play the famed South Course, which has hosted U.S. Opens, PGA Championships and a Ryder Cup. Your foursome is you, your two friends, and the big-time coach you bid on. Food, local transportation, greens fees and three rooms for one night at the casino are included.
The goal of the event is at least $500,000. Unlike an impersonal, golf only type fundraisers, this event will be held at a casino. The atmosphere is sure to be more relaxed and will allow donors to ask some of the questions they’ve probably always wanted to ask one of these prestigious coaches.
The golfing experience that will follow the private party isn’t your typical mixer. Oakland Hills is ranked as the 17th best course in the country, and you can’t even get on without knowing a member. Not only will donors be allowed to play on a PGA course; they will be playing with one of their favorite coaches. Truly an innovative and amazing experience…all in the name of battling cancer. The official link to the event can be found here.
Can there be a better cause?
[h/t Yahoo Sports]
