3v3vCancer Raises Over $15,000 for Cancer Research

A group of 11 Rice Sport Management students hosted the inaugural 3v3vCancer basketball tournament at Tudor Fieldhouse’s Fox Gym on March 24, 2019. A total of 32 teams competed in a double-elimination, 3 on 3 basketball tournament with all proceeds, over $15,000, being donated to Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

The group of students is part of the Department of Sport Management’s Event Management course (SMGT 366). In Event Management, students are given the opportunity to gain experience by creating, planning, and running their own event under the supervision of Professor in the Practice Diane Crossey. 3v3vCancer was conceptualized by Faraz Virani ‘21 and Nikit Venishetty ’20 to help raise awareness about childhood cancer and money for cancer research. Teaming up with Crossey allowed them to work with Sport Management students currently enrolled in Event Management.

“I’m still so elated and proud of the fact that as many people showed out on Rice’s campus to support the cause of childhood cancer awareness through the game of basketball,” Virani said. “I want to thank each member of the Rice community who supported 3v3vCancer and Texas Children’s Hospital in whichever way they could. It was an honor to lead this group of Rice students in the Event Management course. I am so grateful for their hard work and dedication to the success of 3v3vCancer.”

Teams featured 3-5 players, who paid a $10 entry fee to participate in the event and receive a t-shirt. About 150 people attended the event to play, watch, or participate in raffles. The 2019 event is planned to be the first of an annual event and will join Dodge for a Cure as the events run by students in the Event Management class. This year, Dodge for a Cure will take place on April 14th.

A Rice team, “Treat it Like Syd Colson” won the tournament without losing a game. They played the entire tournament without any substitutes and had a roster of John Brown, Jason Gardner, and Derrick Kagwanja.

Sam Burke, a senior from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is double-majoring in Sport Management and Economics with a minor in Business.