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For cancer fundraiser, purple reigns over school colors

Posted January 17, 2008 10:00 pm

Lisa Coon

Rivals on the court and field, Olympia and University high schools' athletes, students, family members, supporters and faculty will ban together tonight to raise money for a cause that has hit much too close to home.

When the Olympia Spartans and U-High Pioneers basketball teams hit the court tonight in Stanford, the long-standing rivalry and regular school colors will take a back seat as the schools join for "Paint the Place Purple," a fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society and St. Jude's Children Research Hospital.

Organizers say the event is a first for Illinois High School Association's Cornbelt Conference.

Both schools have rallied around student athletes who have battled cancer in the past couple of years.

Zach Zentner, 18, a senior at U-High, was 16 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He is the guest speaker at halftime.

"I'm a little nervous," said Zentner, who was captain of the football team and plays baseball. He's also a National Honor Society member and president of the Livestrong Club at U-High.

"I'm going to talk about what inspired me to get through it," he said.

Zentner, who had three rounds of chemotherapy at Carle Cancer Center of Bloomington-Normal, has been cancer free for two years. While he didn't received treatment at St. Jude's, he understands the importance of the research conducted at the hospital.

"There are other kids out there worse off than I," he said. "I think it's something good - just trying to give back a little and help others."

Mike Lootens, assistant principal and athletic director at Olympia, said the school has had its share of rallying around a student dealing with cancer.

Heidi Fontaine, a senior who plays volleyball, is expected to return today from St. Jude's in Memphis where she has been undergoing treatment.

Her experience "kind of spurred some people along. We wondered what we could do to help and remember what she's been through," Lootens said.

The fund raiser was the brainchild of Kenny Williams, a 1979 Olympia High graduate and owner of Laughing Dog Graphics in Minier.

The cause, he said, is very personal. Williams has lost a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and sister to various types of cancer. His own wife, Annie, was in remission from thyroid cancer when they met 22 years ago.

"I sat around for years thinking I always wanted to do something," said Williams, who designed the T-shirt logo that hundreds of people will be sporting tonight. "My son, Brooks, is a senior at Olympia. He's big and strong and healthy as a horse."

Williams came up with the idea to do the fundraiser as part of the two schools' annual "Pack the Place" rivalry game. The effort has raised about $10,000 from T-shirt sales. A silent auction also will be held to sell of a Wii and an iPod.

Several shirt orders have been placed, and each time they've sold out. T-shirts may - or may not - be available tonight at the gate for $10.

"I could not be more pleased" with the support, said Williams, who is expected to say a few words during halftime of tonight's varsity game. "I am thrilled."

Lootens agreed, adding that Olympia's FFA will be donating 10 percent of its pork chop sandwich dinner receipts to the proceeds.

"It's been overwhelming," Lootens said. "I think we're going to run out of T-shirts."

Reach Journal Star State Editor Lisa Coon at (309) 686-3041 or lcoon@pjstar.com.

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