KU head coach Bill Self helps raise money for cancer research

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self was one of six coaches raising money for The American Cancer Society and cancer research at the 2019 Season Tipoff Event Thursday evening at the Kansas City Convention Center Grand Ballroom in downtown Kansas City.

The 12th annual Season Tipoff Event is part of the Coaches vs. Cancer effort sponsored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the American Cancer Society. The more than several hundred who attended were able to visit with basketball coaches from the Kansas City region. Bruce Weber (Kansas State), Cuonzo Martin (Missouri), Ben McCollum (Northwest Missouri State), Jacie Hoyt (Kansas City’s women’s) and Billy Donlon (Kansas City’s men’s) joined Self on the panel. Self is the lone coach to have attended all 12 of the Season Tipoffs.

"The primary reason all the coaches to participate is everybody has been impacted in some way, shape or form; some more than others, of course. Anytime you can help create awareness or raise funds for something that will affect each and every one sometime in their lifetime is important."

Head Coach Bill Self

During the program portion of the evening, each coach was escorted in by Cancer Champions. Self’s Cancer Champion was Harper Claar, who has had reconstructive surgery due to an Osteosarcoma in her knee. Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that produces immature bone.

"You can’t beat it without money. Money goes into research. We will get there. There have been unbelievable strides to get there. There have been so many affected – families and loved ones – and how it affects their lives overnight that it is important to do as much as we can to lessen the loads for those families."

Head Coach Bill Self

KU will officially tip off the 2019-20 season with the 35th annual Late Night in the Phog on Friday, Oct. 4, in Allen Fieldhouse with festivities slated to start at 6:30 p.m. The event will be also televised on ESPN+.