MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The inaugural WVU Cancer Institute Golf Classic raised more than $54,000 to benefit patients battling blood cancer.
A total of 66 golfers participated in the tournament at Stonewall Resort’s Arnold Palmer Signature Course on Saturday, June 8.
Brad Howe, Blaine Stewart, Tony Caridi, Garrett Greene,
and Hoppy Kercheval chat during the live show at the
WVUCancer Institute Golf Classic after-event.
A Mountaineer sports-themed after-event followed, with 120 guests on hand for food, auctions, autograph signings, and a live show hosted by Tony Caridi, Brad Howe, and Hoppy Kercheval of the “3 Guys Before the Game” podcast. They welcomed WVU quarterback Garrett Greene as a special guest.
Proceeds from the Golf Classic benefit the Live Like Brent Comfort Fund, which provides support for blood cancer patients at the WVU Cancer Institute.
“Launching this new initiative would not have been possible without our dedicated friends and donors. I am grateful to all those who contributed,” Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, M.D., executive chair and director of the WVU Cancer Institute, Jean and Laurence DeLynn Chair of Oncology, and associate professor of surgery at the WVU School of Medicine.
“The WVU Cancer Institute’s Live Like Brent Comfort Fund aids us in reducing barriers for our patients and provides them with much-needed direct support as they receive treatment.”
The after-event featured the dedication of a commemorative bench honoring late WVU Head Football Coach Bill Stewart. Coach Stew, as he was affectionately known, led the Mountaineers to one of their most memorable victories as interim head coach in 2008, when WVU defeated Oklahoma, 48-28, in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
A native of West Virginia and WVU graduate, Stewart served under coaches Don Nehlen and Rich Rodriguez before assuming the head coaching position from 2008-2010. He passed away May 21, 2012, following a heart attack at the age of 59.
Son Blaine Stewart is now an assistant coach (tight ends) for the WVU Football team. He and his mother, Karen Stewart, were in attendance for the dedication, which also featured a recorded tribute from Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
The Live Like Brent Comfort Fund was established by the Live Like Brent Foundation to honor the memory of Brent Evans, a WVU graduate who died of blood cancer in 2017. The organization celebrates Evans’ life by inspiring others to fight blood cancer while living an impassioned life and cherishing each day — just like Brent did.
Brent’s parents, Ken and Karen Evans, traveled to West Virginia to attend the event.
“The entire Live Like Brent team was honored to partner with the WVU Cancer Institute on this great event,” Michael Gray, Live Like Brent Foundation regional director for West Virginia, said.
“It was a wonderful day, and the support was overwhelming from so many people. We look forward to expanding our efforts in the future so that even more patients can receive support in Brent’s memory.”
Sponsors who contributed to the event’s success include WVU Medicine, Applied Construction Solutions, Almost Heaven Media Digital, Doug and Jennifer Ernest, FNB Wealth Management, Kim and Debbie Craig, and 100.9 JACK FM.
Visit https://cancer.wvumedicine.org/giving for more information about supporting the WVU Cancer Institute and the Live Like Brent Comfort Fund.
All contributions to the Live Like Brent Comfort Fund are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University and its affiliated entities.