WESTWOOD—The Cardinal Alumni vs. Cancer basketball game hat was scheduled for January was postponed due to an abundance of caution. Now it’s on for Friday, June 17 at 6 p.m. at Brookside Park in Westwood. A post-game reception is set for Valley Burger and Brew in River Vale.
Reports coach John Micheal Santulli, “In January, more than 30 Westwood Regional High School boys basketball alumni signed up for the event. When the event was cancelled, there was no guarantee that organizers would be able to make it up.”
He added, “Despite that, every participant told them to keep the donation registration fee. A significant donation has already been made to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.”
The V Foundation was founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano with one goal in mind: to achieve victory over cancer.
Over the years, Cardinals vs. Cancer has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local families battling cancer. The event has also supported additional causes such as Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society.
Santulli told Pascack Press on June 13, “The alumni of Westwood High School Boys Basketball have been determined not to allow the event to disappear, despite a worldwide pandemic.”
We suggested we’d like to reach out for more quotes. Santulli delivered these:
- Colin Liddy, Class of 2018: “Cardinals vs. Cancer is the perfect example as to how much can be accomplished when a community comes together. During my sophomore year I remember looking around the gym prior to tip-off and being blown away by the amount of family, friends and neighbors who came out to support Patrick Flynn and his family. Ever since that moment I’ve wanted to help grow and support the C vs. C tradition so we could continue to make a difference in others’ lives like we did for Patrick.”
- Micheal Ray Santulli, Class of 2018: “From the moment we started with Elizabeth Night throughout my time in the Cardinal basketball program, we have always understood that nothing is more important than helping others. This belief is something that I always carry with me, and something that I have seen as a manager with the men’s basketball program at Villanova for the last four years. It’s amazing how one of the most successful basketball programs in the world and a small high school team share so many of the same core values.”
- Jack Santulli, Class of 2021: “The alumni of the boys basketball program will never let this tradition die. It has meant too much to our program and to our community. Even if the school doesn’t necessarily help sponsor it anymore, the Westwood Way will keep it going, and keep fighting the fight vs. cancer.”
- E.J. Bermudez, Class of 2014: “Cardinals vs. Cancer is about coming together as a community to support those of us going through the most difficult of times. To have the opportunity to do so, with our Westwood basketball family, has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever been a part of.”
- Jake Kandel, Class of 2012: “Cardinals vs. Cancer always makes me think back to Elizabeth Night. When we raised money to help that little girl and her family. It’s the best basketball memory of my life. Packed gym, all wearing purple for Elizabeth.”
- Dean Badach, Class of 2013: “It’s a day that brings a community together to support their family, neighbors and friends who may be going through difficult times. It’s a day that allows me to reconnect with the community that gave me so much when I was younger. And it’s a day where the Westwood Cardinal basketball family comes together again regardless of age.”