The Knoxville Panthers Coaches vs. Cancer was the top high school fundraiser in the country for the eighth straight year, according to the American Cancer society. The event raised $50,600 through donations and an auction. Coach Jim Uitermarkt says it’s remarkable to have raised that much money during the pandemic.

“It’s kind of amazing thinking back to the discussions we had about this event because one of the discussions was maybe to cancel, knowing we couldn’t do everything we normally do. We started having conversations with people with the American Cancer Society, and hearing stories that COVID was so much on the forefront that so many other things, such as cancer, were in a way being forgotten. Hearing the decreased fundraising that had been going on for the American Cancer Society, that gave us the desire to do it and do it the best we can.”

Coaches vs. Cancer is a national organization which raises money through high school and college athletics to support the American Cancer Society’s mission.