Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 2, 1995 TAG: 9501170021
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It was April 1993, and Jody and Page Moir were in the car on their way home from a vacation in Myrtle Beach, S.C., when they heard the sad news on the radio.
Jim Valvano, a member of the coaching brethren, had died after a very public battle with cancer.
By the time the Moirs arrived back in the Roanoke Valley, an idea had taken shape for a way to honor Valvano and raise money to help fight the disease that took his life.
``We just started talking about how cancer just seems to affect every family,'' Jody Moir said. `` ... It really affects a lot of folks, but just doesn't seem to get the media attention that other [diseases] do.''
``We're in a position where we know a lot of people and have the opportunity to make a difference,'' said Page Moir, the men's basketball coach at Roanoke College.
A prime opportunity to make a difference was staring them right in the face. Roanoke was to be the host school for a four-team basketball tournament that included St.Mary's (Md.), where Valvano's brother Bob was coaching.
The remainder of the Moirs' trip was spent planning fund-raising events to take place in conjunction with the January tournament, which later was named the Domino's-Valvano Classic.
``We wanted to take advantage of it, especially since Bob was playing in it that year,'' said Page Moir, a former player and assistant coach at Virginia Tech. ``I called [Bob Valvano] over the summer and he was all jacked up about it. He thought it was a great idea.''
Roanoke College embraced it, too, and with financial help from local Domino's Pizza franchises, plans were set in motion.
Page Moir called on coaching friends to donate memorabilia that was raffled off at the tournament. Local doctors and attorneys squared off in a charity basketball game. And despite uncooperative weather, nearly $6,000 was raised for cancer research.
This year's goal is $10,000. The money is split between the V Foundation, a cancer research fund named in honor of the former North Carolina State coach, and the Roanoke chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Page Moir has rounded up some attractive items to raffle at the second edition of the tournament, which is today and Tuesday at the Bast Center. Moir said the hottest items were a pair of shoes autographed by Larry Johnson and a practice jersey signed by Alonzo Mourning of the Charlotte Hornets.
Moir said he also may have Orlando Magic star Shaquille O'Neal's signature, along with the autograph of Louisiana State coach Dale Brown on an LSU warmup jacket, as well as items signed by former Virginia Tech standout Dell Curry, now with the Hornets.
Other coaches who donated signed jerseys include Roy Williams (Kansas), Pat Kennedy (Florida State), Gary Williams (Maryland), Dave Odom (Wake Forest), Bob Huggins (Cincinnati), Bill Foster (Virginia Tech), Lon Kruger (Florida) and Lefty Driesell (James Madison).
The Florida State jersey belonged to All-ACC standout Bob Sura, while the Maryland jersey was worn by current NBA player Tony Massenburg.
Other raffle items include a Duke team poster autographed by all the Blue Devils, an Atlanta Hawks basketball signed by the entire team and autographed T-shirts from Jeff Jones (Virginia) and Eddie Fogler (South Carolina).
``All the items are great,'' said Page Moir, who also mentioned the high quality of the tournament's competition.
In the opening game at 5:30 p.m. today, Lynchburg (2-3) takes on Muhlenberg (5-3). At 7:30, Roanoke (6-1) faces Alfred (1-4). On Tuesday, the consolation game is at 5 p.m., with the championship at 7:30.
Tickets are $6 for both nights if purchased in advance, or $4 per night at the door. They can be bought through Roanoke College (375-2338), the American Cancer Society (344-8699) or the Lewis-Gale Regional Cancer Center (800-543-5660).
Raffle tickets are $3 each and will be sold at the Bast Center. Items will be raffled at halftime during the second game each night.
``We're expecting a good turnout,'' Page Moir said. ``I think it's a good cause and people want to support it. And other than the bowl games [tonight], there really isn't a whole lot else going on.
``We've had pretty good crowds so far this year ... and I think with [Old Dominion Athletic Conference member] Lynchburg in it, more people will come out.''
by CNB