ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – St. Bonaventure men's basketball head coach Mark Schmidt has earned this year's Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award by the American Cancer Society for his continued efforts toward the work of the organization. He was presented with the award during the Final Four weekend in San Antonio.

The Champion Award honors coaches who have shown extraordinary leadership and commitment in the fight against cancer.

Schmidt serves on the Coaches vs. Cancer national board and has helped raise more than half a million dollars for the organization to date. He has also been part of the annual Suits and Sneakers as well as Set The Screen fundraising and awareness campaigns as well as coordinating a partnership with local Tim Hortons franchises to raise funds in addition to a personal contribution along with his wife Anita averaging $20,000 annually.

More recently, he established the 716 Golf Classic fundraiser in Olean. The 716 Golf Classic has been extremely successful with a sold-out field of nearly 150 participants last year to help raise over $400,000 for cancer research since 2021.

"I am very grateful to Coach Mark Schmidt for his unwavering dedication to the fight against cancer," said Dr. Wayne Frederick, interim CEO for the American Cancer Society. "His passion for making a difference through hosting impactful fundraisers, expanding the Suits And Sneakers initiative, and his generous contributions exemplify what it means to be a Coaches vs. Cancer Champion."

Coaches vs. Cancer is a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the NABC that empowers coaches, their teams, and communities to join in saving more lives. The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of basketball coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs.
 
The Champion Award was instituted in 1996, with former Missouri Coach Norm Stewart receiving the inaugural honor. Since that time, the award has been presented to head coaches nationally including the likes of Roy Williams, Tom Izzo and Bill Self.