Shooting hoops for a cause

Oceanside High School teachers and staff battled it out on the court for the school’s first faculty basketball game on Jan. 17. Spearheaded by coaches Joseph Supple and Allenby Lyson, the game served as a fundraising kickoff to the high school’s Relay For Life, as well as a primer for the girls’ varsity basketball game later that night.

“It was fantastic experience,” said Associate Principal Paul Guzzone, who participated in the game. “… It was for a good cause, and it was great playing as an administrator with staff.” He said a mix of students, parents and other staff came to watch.

The faculty game, which featured 25 teachers and staff, was organized to fundraise and increase awareness for the school’s first Relay for Life, which will be held in June, according to Student Projects Coordinator, Patrick Turk.

Relay for Life is a community-based fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Every year, thousands of organizations and schools across the country hold hours-long walking relays to raise money for cancer research.

Turk, along with coaches Supple and Allenby, thought the nature of the game would be a good way to engage students and get them involved in the fundraiser. “It’s fun [for students] to watch their teachers and coaches make fools of themselves,” Turk said.

On Tuesday night alone, OHS raised more than $2,000 through pledged donations and T-shirt sales, according to Supple. All of the money will go to the American Cancer Society.

“We’re going to keep trying to raise more [money],” he said. “Cancer is something every family has to deal with.”