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The Coaches vs. Cancer Basket “Ball”

Join us as cross-town teams leave their rivalry on the court for the 2026 Coaches vs. Cancer Basket “Ball”!

The Coaches vs. Cancer Basket “Ball” is an annual celebration hosted by the Head Coaches and wives of the Siena and UAlbany men’s basketball teams. This “upscale pep rally” brings together hundreds of sports enthusiasts, as well as business and philanthropic leaders each year to celebrate the impact our Capital Region sports and business community makes in the fight against cancer!

We hope you will join our team on Tuesday, September 15th for an evening complete with a cocktail hour, dinner, open bar, silent auction & an awards ceremony featuring incredible honorees and maybe even a few “celebrity guests”!

Since its inception, the Capital Region Coaches vs. Cancer Basket “Ball” has raised over $3 million to take on our opponent and work to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Event Hosts:

Gerry & Katie McNamara | Siena University Men’s Basketball

Dwayne & Ana Killings | University at Albany Men’s Basketball

Become an event sponsor!

Additional Information

Evening Timeline:

  • 6:00 PM – VIP reception begins
  • 6:30 PM – Doors officially open, party begins 2nd floor
  • 8:00 PM– Buffet dinner closes, Program with honoree recognition begins
  • 10:00 PM – Event close

Celebrating our 2026 Honorees

  • Inspiration Award: Stay tuned!
  • Champion of Hope: Stay tuned!
  • Mary Ann Raymond Donnelly Fighting Spirit Award: Stay tuned!

Other Important Event Information:

  • Emcee: Freddie Coleman
  • Attire: Sporty cocktail
  • Parking: Complimentary parking is available in the garage below the Albany Capital Center. The garage is located at 7 Wendell Street, Albany, NY 12207.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors

Broadview-Presenting
Prime- CVC Presenting

Lead Investors

Broadview FCU
Albany Med Health
Prime Companies
Lia Auto Group
Bouchey Financial
Camelot Print & Copy Center
Performance Industrial
St. Peter’s Health
DeCrescente
NYOH Akira
Regeneron

Champion

Finish The Fight

Cancer Crusader

Mission Ambassador

Community Partners

Event Details

Date
September 15, 2026
Time
6:00pm — 10:00pm
Location
Albany Capital Center
55 Eagle Street
Albany, NY
Get Directions
Become an event sponsor!

For Sponsors

Email us today to learn about 2026 event sponsorships. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities for this event by clicking the links below.

Additional Sponsorship Opportunities
Congratulations

Our Hall of Fame

Those we have honored in the past at the Capital Region Coaches vs. Cancer event.

2025 The Doctors of The Bone & Joint Center, James Jones (Yale University)

2024 Rob Saba, Carrie Hillenbrandt, Jay Bilas (ESPN)

2023 Casey O’Connor, Steve Dagostino, Ed Cooley (Georgetown University)

2022 Anthony Marino, Evan Franz, Joe Carista, Gerry McNamara (Syracuse University)

2021 Jim Hart, Jenna Meier & Jon Scheyer (Duke University)

2020 Colin Clive, Coach Ali Jaques & Coach Marc Rybczyk

2019 Patrick McCaffery, Joseph Girard III & Jeff Jones (Old Dominion)

2018 Clarkie Carrol, Daniel StClair & Mike Hopkins (University of Washington)

2017 Mary Ann Donnelly, Doug McClaine & Mike Brey (University of Notre Dame)

2016 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation & Tom Izzo (Michigan State University)

2015 Fran and Margaret McCaffery (University of Iowa) & Peter Hooley

2014 Jim Calhoun (UConn) & Rick Bennett

2013 George Karl (Denver Nuggets) & Don Bassett

2012 Bobby Cremins (College of Charleston) & Bob Curley, John Murray and Ken Raymond

2011 Steve Lavin (St. John’s University) & The Teeing Off On Cancer Committee

2010 Brian Fruscio (Albany Academies) & Matt and Jacob Shell

2009 Jamie Dixon (University of Pittsburgh) & Brendan Finneran

2008 Gary Williams (University of Maryland) & Joe Watroba

2007 Phil Martelli (Saint Joseph’s University)

2006 Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University)

Join the Coaches vs. Cancer Youth Initiative

The Coaches vs. Cancer School and Youth Initiative is a program designed to encourage student-athletes, coaches, fans, parents, athletic directors and local communities to become involved and make an impact in the fight against cancer.

From basketball courts to lacrosse fields and from football fields to running tracks – any COACH, TEAM, REFEREE, COMMUNITY MEMBER and BUSINESS can be a part of the Coaches vs. Cancer program!

Support our Youth & Collegiate CVC campaigns HERE

 

Contact Us to Join Our Team!

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2022 ACS Coaches vs. Cancer Highlight Thank you all for coming out to support our 2022 honorees and making it a fun and inspirational night we are so grateful for.