History
Coaches for Charity began in 2009 as an outgrowth of a promotion to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The Lodge at Ventana Canyon. The original event was a Golf Tournament matching contestants with celebrity coaches to raise funds for the soon-to-open Children’s Diamond Center at UMC.
The next year, in 2010, Coaches for Charity became the title sponsor and producer of the Coaches for Charity Kickoff Classic, which is the official start of the high school football season. The high school scholar-athletes are given a “bowl-like experience” complete with a luncheon/banquet with a well-known keynote speaker, press conferences, interviews and photo shoots, media coverage, and awards. The Coaches for Charity Kickoff Classic and Luncheon is a celebration of football, teamwork, school spirit, competition, and scholarship.
In 2011 Coaches for Charity, Inc. became a 501(c)3 recognized non-profit charity that raises funds through special events and athletics to support young people and encourages healthy, active lifestyles.
In addition to the annual Kickoff Classic, Coaches for Charity, Inc. sponsors events and partners with other organizations to present the MLK Basketball Classic a full day of high school basketball games at Mckale Center on the University of Arizona campus, the Roskruge Cougar Classic a three week city-wide elementary and middle school basketball tournament played in high school gyms, and the Coaches for Charity Bowlathon to raise funds for elementary school sports equipment.
Coaches for Charity awards academic scholarships to student/athletes of all abilities and provides support to community organizations.