Jessie H. Nunery

News and notes about sports in the Twin Counties, the Triangle and the pros. Also notes on pop culture and travel.

The entry titled "Rocky Mount & Coaches vs. Cancer," and any of the comments about it.

Rocky Mount & Coaches vs. Cancer

By Jessie H. Nunery | Friday, January 30, 2009, 11:38 PM

There was a unifying moment Friday night in Rocky Mount High’s gymnasium. One that did not matter whether you cheered for the Gryphons or the Knights.
Tickets proceeds from Rocky Mount’s boys’ and girls’ basketball games against Northern Nash went to the Jimmy V Foundation for cancer research. One dollar per ticket, and on this night, the Jimmy V Foundation gained at least $1,000 dollars. Rocky Mount cheerleaders also took donations for the cause in addition to the $1,000 dollars.
Rocky Mount athletics director Mike Gainey was joined on the court between the boys’ and girls’ games by family members of former Gryphons athletics director, the late Dudley Whitley, who passed away earlier this month.
Gainey said the proceeds would go to the Jimmy V Foundation in Whitley’s name. Fans were then given an opportunity to join the Whitley family on the court. Anyone who had survived cancer or lost a loved one to the disease was invited to meet at center court.
A moment of silence was observed.
Coaches from both schools wore sneakers instead of dress shoes to honor Coaches vs. Cancer.
It was a nice gesture and quickly reminded folks that there was a bigger cause at stake than just winning basketball games.