It’s the 16th annual Coaches vs Cancer.
It’s a high school football game between Hartford and Slinger Friday night, October 9 at Hartford Union High School. But it’s much more. It’s about raising funds that go directly to cancer research and support.
Slinger High School head football coach Bill Jacklin told WTKM how it started In October of 2011, with Slinger football coach Kevin Wilkinson and his wife Julie. They initiated the first Coaches vs Cancer football game fundraising event in collaboration with Hartford Union High School.
"One of my assistant coaches started it, Kevin Wilkinson, with the first year of the Slinger and Hartford football game. He had postate cancer and died a month after the season. He started this whole thing and I think he would be proud of what it has become. Hartford's coach, John Redders and I understand that cancer has affected both of our lives. It's more than a game, more than football. It's both communities coming together."
A traveling trophy was created and has been rededicated a number of times to become the Wilkinson-Redders-Jacklin Memorial Trophy.
Last year, the event raised $20,592.95—bringing their 15-year total to well over $200,000.
T-shirt sales also contribute to the event, along with various fundraising efforts that traditionally take place during the game.
