The Kohl Center hosted the fourth annual Make Bo Pay event to raise money for the Coaches vs. Cancer program Monday night.
Fans waited in a line filling an entire section to attempt to shoot a free throw and half-court shot. Ryan donated one dollar for each participant, $10 if they made the free throw and $1,000 if they made the half-court shot.
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that “empowers basketball coaches, their teams and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer,” according to its website.
Make Bo Pay raised a total of $276,755 last year, with four donors matching Ryan. This year the event had 10 donors to match Ryan’s contribution in varying amounts, bringing the total to $694,117.
Dan Rashke, CEO of a local Madison business and one of the matching donors, attended the event.
“I think it is pretty cool to see these kids get affiliated with something so worthwhile and positive,” Rashke said.
Redshirt sophomore Aaron Moesch was among the players interacting with students.
“My grandpa had cancer,” Moesch said. “And he survived. To come out and be able to do something like this and be able to help other people survive cancer means a lot. And to see how many people come out to support a cause like this is incredible. The support is overwhelming.”
As team manager the first year and now assistant director of basketball operations, Marc Vandewettering has seen the event grow.
“We are excited with where this has gone,” Vandewettering said. “This is kind of our unofficial-official start to basketball season, getting all the students excited for the season again.”
Benjamin Farley was one of the 41 students to make both shots. He played basketball in high school and practiced a bit yesterday before coming to the event.
“It felt pretty good, making Bo pay. I’m glad it is going to a good cause, and hitting the shot was good,” Farley said.
Ryan signed a check when the event finished.
“I’m numb. It‘s unbelievable how people stepped up,” Ryan said to Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Patrick Herb. “And to put these kind of numbers out there, and put towards research and everything else to try to beat this doggone disease. I’d like to say I’m speechless, but no one from my hometown has ever been speechless.”
