In its 18th year, the Jimmy V. Celebrity Golf Classic was held over the weekend at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course.
The event brought out celebrities such as NBA superstars Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal. The event is a small part of the Jimmy V. Foundation, which has raised over $100 million for cancer research since its inception.
Jim Valvano was head coach of the men’s basketball team when it won the 1983 NCAA national championship. He died of bone cancer in 1993 shortly after he delivered his speech containing “Don’t give up… don’t ever give up.”
Valvano gave his famous speech on the ESPY’s, an award show for athletes held annually on ESPN. Stuart Scott, an ESPN anchor and reporter, received the Spirit of Jimmy V. award at a gala Saturday night.
ESPN has been heavily involved in the foundation, and helped provide funding to get it off the ground in 1993. Scott is also battling cancer and has presented the Jimmy V. award at the ESPYs , according to a Huffington Post article.
Cameron Nicholson, a senior in civil engineering, has worked at the golf course since it opened three years ago. The event has been held at the course for all three years.
He got to meet and work up-close with visiting celebrities.
“It’s getting bigger and better every year. It was fun getting to meet and hang out with everybody,” Nicholson said.
Former N.C . State and ACC players came out to participate in the pro-am event.
“Each group got a celebrity. Celebrities that do all sorts of sports related charities showed up. They all just want to have a good time,” Nicholson said.