HARRISBURG, Penn.–As part of its year-long presenting sponsorship of Coaches vs. Cancer of Penn State initiative, PSECU recently hosted the 21st Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament at the Penn State Golf Courses. The Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament is the organization’s flagship fundraising event.
“PSECU’s got its start when 22 state employees pooled their money in an effort to make a better life for themselves and their families more than eight decades ago. Throughout the years, that foundation of community support has remained as a strong component of all we do,” said PSECU President Greg Smith. “This year, it’s an honor to continue our tradition of helping others through support of Coaches vs. Cancer of Penn State. Together, I know we will make a significant impact.”
During the tournament each participating foursome partnered with a Penn State celebrity for a round. An awards dinner in the Mount Nittany Club at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium concluded the tournament.
The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers coaches, their teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs, PSECU said.
Penn State Head Basketball Coach Patrick Chambers explained the Coaches vs. Cancer of Penn State initiative and the Nittany Lion motto of approaching adversity with a choice: “We strive within our basketball program to reach a standard of excellence from our players, coaches and staff. We believe the same standard, with energy and enthusiasm, can be applied to Coaches vs. Cancer of Penn State to make it one of the most successful programs in the country helping the American Cancer Society provide support. We’ve had challenges, as a basketball team and in our daily lives, but we always strive to meet them and overcome them. As I tell the players, if you stay focused with your attitude, you can accomplish anything. It takes a team effort to make a difference in the fight against cancer in our community and beyond, and that’s our goal.”
“As well-known brands throughout Pennsylvania, it makes sense for PSECU and Penn State Athletics to team up to increase awareness of the American Cancer Society and fundraise for the betterment of our community,” said Barb Bowker, vice president of marketing and membership development for the $5-billion PSECU. “Through partnership and coordinating our efforts, we anticipate that our joint reach will foster a very large base of support for this year’s Coaches vs. Cancer of Penn State campaign.”
The Penn State chapter of the Coaches vs. Cancer program was the fourth largest in the nation last year. Since it was established in 1995, it has raised
Separately, PSECU hosted itsfirst PSECU Chips In Golf Outing at Rich Valley Golf in Mechanicsburg, Penn. With collaboration from 16 community sponsors, the event raised more than $15,000 to benefit the work of the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.
“As a not-for-profit credit union, PSECU was founded on the belief that everyone deserves opportunities for a better life. As an organization, we also understand that by investing in the creation of stronger, healthier communities, we all benefit,” said PSECU Vice President of Marketing and Membership Development Barb Bowker.
Bowker, who is also the American Capital Region Board Chair, continued, “PSECU has been a strong supporter of the American Heart Association for many years through various sponsorships and employee fundraising efforts, but this year we aspired to do more for the cause. The PSECU Chips In Golf Outing is a way for us to do just that by reaching out to our friends in the business community and asking them to join us in the fight against heart disease and stroke.”