Bo knows

Schembechler raises money for cancer research

For years Bo Schembechler roamed the sidelines at Michigan Stadium, solidifying the program's status as one of the country's best. He left the game as Michigan's winningest coach, with a record of 194-48-5 and 10 Rose Bowl trips. Since he left his familiar coaching position, the man affectionately known simply as "Bo" has worked to make the University tops in another field: researching and treating adrenal cancer. Schembechler deserves to be applauded for his efforts after his coaching career as much as he was for winning football games.

Schembechler's interest in adrenal cancer began under tragic circumstances. In 1992, his wife, Millie, was diagnosed with the rare, devastating illness. She died later that year. Through their efforts to find the best treatments available, they became aware of the severe shortage of money researchers in the field faced.

For the last six years, Schembechler has worked to raise money for a fund set up at the University in his wife's name. The Millie Schembechler Adrenal Cancer Research Fund is rapidly approaching its goal of $3.5 million.

The main money-makers for the fund have come in the form of a celebrity golf tournament, which in previous years has brought in a total of $1.3 million. Participants, many of whom are former athletes from the University, contribute between $1,250 to $2,500 to be in the tournament. This year marks the sixth year the tournament has been held. After this year's tournament, which is held today at 10 a.m., only two more should be needed to reach the $3.5 million goal.

The tournament is open to the public, for a donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children 14 and under. People with the means to contribute would be hard pressed to find a better way to spend a few dollars.

Diseases such as adrenal cancer require exorbitant sums of money for research in hopes of finding effective treatments and ultimately a cure. Furthermore, many diseases such as this form of cancer do not receive a sufficient amount of funding compared with more high-profile afflictions like heart disease and AIDS. Special benefactors like Schembechler can make a difference in these cases.

Schembechler deserves a great deal of credit for using his celebrity status in a focused effort to gather the funding he has already amassed and continues to amass. Many celebrities could use a lesson from the coach regarding how to use their special status in a selfless manner.

Schembechler's fund-raising efforts demonstrate a touching commitment to Millie and the University. Now that his coaching days have ended, Schembechler still seeks to make the University the best in the country - now in a different field. And he serves Millie's memory well by raising awareness of the disease that claimed her and continues to claim others.

In order to effectively battle diseases like adrenal cancer, researchers need public support. Schembechler's golf tournament provides an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause and be entertained at the same time. And his tournament demonstrates well that efforts needed to raise money for research can be successful. Although Schembechler has not coached a game since the 1990 Rose Bowl, he still continues to win.

07-06-98