By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

Back in March, Angelina College hosted a “Coaches against Cancer” day that included everything from AC baseball, softball and basketball games to numerous other activities. The goal: Raising money for cancer awareness.

Cancer survivors Ashley Berry and Daisy Brumley threw out ceremonial first pitches for softball and baseball, and the college hosted several other activities all designed both to honor those affected by the disease and to generate donations from a generous community.

On Tuesday, AC coaches and staff members presented Berry, chairperson of the East Texas Cancer Alliance of Hope, with a check representing those donations.

“It means a lot to have this kind of support,” Berry said. “We’re still a young non-profit organization here in Angelina County, but we’re doing great work. To know that we have community partners backing and supporting us – not just us, but the entire community – and the clients under our care just means so much.”

Berry acknowledged having all those events made it a fun experience with all involved, while also creating even more awareness.

“Our cancer patients are always asking who’s helping us, and knowing that Angelina College is supporting them means those patients in turn are going to come out and support AC.”

AC Athletic Director J.J. Montgomery knew such an event would be meaningful to the Alliance, but seeing all the effort come to fruition through the donation was exciting.

“The biggest thing we try to teach our athletes at AC is giving back to the community,” Montgomery said. “Any way we can help anyone in our community, we’re going to do that.

“I’ve known Ashley for years, and I know her dedication to that organization and how much it means to her. Being able to help really tops it off. Seeing the smile on her face today as she received that check means so much. Having our coaching staff here at AC show they’re so willing to participate shows it’s so much bigger than just the money.”

Montgomery added that the “Coaches against Cancer” event is going to get even bigger over the coming years.

“I think it’s going to continue to grow as we go along,” Montgomery said. “We (the AC staff) have already sat down and discussed some of things we can do next year to make it even more fun and to get more of the community involved.

“It’s going to be a big deal, and it’s for such a great cause.”

The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.