In time for March Madness, Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and the NCAA launched the “Every Pass Counts: Ultimate Assist” program designed to make it easy for college hoop fans on Facebook to join in the fight against cancer.
The program was developed in two stages. The initial stage calls for Facebook users to sign up to “Become A Fan” by searching for Wilson Sporting Goods. After joining the group, fans will be asked to pass a virtual Wilson NCAA Basketball to other Facebook friends with the click of a button. For every pass a user sends to a friend, Wilson will donate 10 cents to Coaches vs. Cancer, benefiting the American Cancer Society. The user who makes the most passes will receive $1000 in Wilson Sporting Goods equipment. The passing begins March 10th and runs through the NCAA Basketball Championship games. The goal is to reach 500,000 virtual passes.
“The NCAA Tournament is a showcase for some of the best student-athletes in the country,” said Peter Davis, Director of Corporate Alliances for the NCAA. “Our partnership with Wilson is a showcase of both organizations progressive thinking. This initiative can have a tremendous impact on people’s lives.”
“Wilson is honored to partner with the NCAA in the fight against cancer,” says Alan Davenport, Business Director of Wilson Basketball. “The NCAA Tournament is a tremendous opportunity for Wilson and the NCAA to engage thousands of young fans across the country and to work collectively on behalf of a great cause.”
As the Official Basketball of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Championships, college basketball coaches have always played a significant role in the development of Wilson basketballs. “Every Pass Counts: Ultimate Assist” gives Wilson the chance to support a cause that has impacted virtually everyone in the college basketball coaching community.
“The steps that Wilson is taking in support of Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society will make a significant difference in the fight against cancer,” said Van Velsor Wolf, chair, American Cancer Society National Board of Directors. “The campaign will help us achieve our mission of saving lives from cancer by helping people stay well through prevention and early detection, helping people get well during and after a diagnosis, by funding groundbreaking discoveries and fighting back through public policy. We are delighted that Wilson is helping to raise awareness of cancer through this effort.
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The initiative leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs. Since 1993, high school and college coaches from across the country have raised over $50 million to support the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.
Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co. is a division of Amer Sports.
