Rick Barnes: a Game, a Friendship, a Cause
Tennessee men’s basketball head coach Rick Barnes is ready for the 2024 Jimmy V Classic
On December 10, Tennessee men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes will step onto the court at Madison Square Garden in New York City. And while the game against Miami may be the top thing on his mind, the surrounding events and recognitions will be a highlight too.
December 10 marks the 30th annual Men’s Basketball Jimmy V Classic, a doubleheader event in college basketball featuring four premier teams. Hosted by ESPN, the event honors Jim Valvano, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, legendary coach, and founder of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The games annually celebrate the greatness of college basketball, while raising funds for game-changing cancer research.
“His life and joining with ESPN to create the V Foundation has been one of the most really significant things when you think about college basketball and how college coaches have decided to be a part of fighting the cancer battle,” Coach Barnes said. “Anytime you can be a part of the game in New York, it means a lot.”
“When I think of Jimmy V, I think of him in New York and being in his hometown where he grew up. But, more importantly, I think about his great speech where he said he may not beat [cancer], but through money and research that other people might be able to beat it, which has proven to be true.”
A College Basketball Friendship
Coach Barnes is no stranger to the V Foundation. As a personal friend to Dick Vitale, a V Foundation Board Member and ESPN commentator, Barnes has been actively involved with the V Foundation’s mission for many years. He’s even been honored twice at the V Foundation’s Dick Vitale Gala for his commitment to fundraising for childhood cancer research.
“First of all, I love Dick Vitale. I’m thankful that God brought us together in a unique way. Dick is passionate about everything he’s ever done. Later in life, as he’s now dealing with cancer himself and what he’s gone through, if you’ve ever had the chance to attend one of the Galas, you can feel his passion, love and determination to fight until his very last breath. That’s what I admire about him most of all.”
Coach Barnes has been by Dick’s side through many years, most recently as Dick navigates his own cancer diagnosis. He encourages Dick by texting him Bible verses often and checking on him.
Dick valiantly navigates his treatment holding true to the spirit Jim Valvano spoke of during his 1993 ESPYS speech: “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”®. Dick was by Jim’s side that night, helping him onto the stage to deliver the speech. For Coach Barnes, Dick’s unwavering passion for this cause, now more than 30 years since that speech, continues to be an inspiration.
“I don’t think at that point in time anyone knew what the future held for Dick,” Coach Barnes said. “But the fact is, the ‘never give up’ attitude, no one has embodied it more in the last couple of years than Dick. What’s really been neat about him is he’s willing to share that experience with other people.”
Dick has openly documented his journey with cancer on social media. He’s quick to share a picture from treatment, give updates on his own battle, and advocate for advancing research.
“But even with what’s going on in his life, he has not wavered one bit from his commitment to continue to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. He’s just a living example of what ‘never give up’ means. I’m just blessed to have had a chance to be around him.”
A Unified Cause
Although Jim Valvano led the NC State Wolfpack to a national championship in 1983, his greatest legacy has been cancer research. Since its start in 1993, the V Foundation has awarded nearly $400 million to all-star scientists for game-changing cancer research across all cancer types.
“We’ve all been touched some way or somehow by cancer. You’ll never meet someone on a street that hasn’t dealt with someone that’s been touched by it. It might be a distant person they know, but they understand that cancer is something that we have to battle, we have to fight. The only way to do that is to raise funds for researchers who know that if they can keep pushing it, they can find a way. Hopefully, one day, they can find a cure for all cancer[s],” said Barnes.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research has made a proven, positive impact in the cancer research space. In its 31-year history, V Foundation grantees have gone on to be connected to over 1,000 clinical trials and received over 5,500 grants totaling over $20 billion in cancer research. The V Foundation truly funds the best of the best.
“The only way we will find out [if there is a cure] is through research,” Coach Barnes said. “I just encourage everyone to jump on board and make a donation in honor of someone that you’ve known that has dealt with cancer, dealing with cancer, and be a part of a great thing trying to cure cancer.”
