Frank Martin, legislators suit up to kick cancer
He was talking about his team.
And his cause.
“We’re going to get there,” Frank Martin said in the rotunda of the South Carolina State House on Wednesday. “The other one isn’t an option.”
The Gamecocks’ basketball coach was recognized by the S.C. House of Representatives for his work fighting cancer, a disease that’s affected him (his mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago) and inspired him to do everything he can to prevent it happening to anyone else.
Speaking as part of an event uniting the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the Coaches vs. Cancer, Martin saw several state legislators donning sneakers with their suits to honor survivors, patients, care-givers and victims.
“I wish I could wear these during games,” Martin joked, showing off his garnet and black kicks. “It wouldn’t hurt so much when I stamp my feet.”
A large part of Martin taking the USC job four years ago was to be closer to his mother-in-law in New York. He said that as his salary became larger, his donations to fighting cancer did the same – his third “B-Ball of the South” is on May 1, and the first two events raised $269,470.
“We realized that that’s not enough,” Martin said. “We gotta do more. What we’re asking is, let’s all do a little more.”
Pansy Yates, ACS CAN Ambassador, pointed out that everyone is affected by cancer in some way. She lost a nephew last month to lung cancer.
“We all want to see this end,” Yates said. “We can all be involved, everyone here. Together, we know we can win this battle against cancer.”
Martin’s next event will bring in coaches Tubby Smith, Phil Martelli and Brad Underwood, plus some ESPN personalities, with all proceeds going to Coaches vs. Cancer. The B-Ball will be held at Colonial Life Arena and be styled after the Kentucky Oaks horse race.
Martin has no goal for money to be raised but is appreciative of every dime.
“My wife and I, we both approach it kind of the same way I approach our team. I don’t set a goal of X number of dollars, because if you fall short, then you’re disappointed,” Martin said. “There’s no winning and losing when you do something like that. Whatever you raise, it’s money that’s helping.”
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B-BALL OF THE SOUTH
What: Frank and Anya Martin hosting Third B-Ball of the South, the couple's "Coaches vs. Cancer" benefit
When: 7 p.m., May 1
Where: Colonial Life Arena
Tickets: Contact Lauren Shields (lauren.shields@cancer.org/770-595-5663) with the American Cancer Society.
This story was originally published April 15, 2015 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Frank Martin, legislators suit up to kick cancer."