UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Penn State men’s basketball coach Patrick Chambers was awarded the 2019 Champion Award, a prestigious national honor with the Coaches vs. Cancer program. 

This annual award recognizes a collegiate coach who has shown extraordinary leadership and a commitment to support the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives, celebrating lives and leading the fight for a world without cancer. 

Coaches vs. Cancer is a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers coaches, their teams, and communities to join in saving more lives.

The award was presented during NCAA Final Four at the Guardians of the Game awards show in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sunday night.

In his eight years as the Nittany Lion basketball coach, Chambers, and his staff embraced the Coaches vs. Cancer Penn State chapter and have helped raise more than $1.3 million during that time.

I am humbled and honored to accept this award on behalf of our Coaches vs. Cancer Penn State chapter, our committee members, volunteers and sponsors who are devoted to the American Cancer Society mission and serving our community. Their determined efforts and generosity over more than two decades have impacted the lives of others and provided not only resources and assistance, but also hope.”

                                          -Patrick Chambers: Penn State Men’s Basketball Coach

With its dedicated committee, the Penn State chapter surpassed a monumental $3 million net fundraising milestone in fall 2018 as the organization enters its 24th year in existence.