College basketball coaches from all over huddle in Clutch City for American Cancer Society benefit

College basketball coaches nationwide and their entourages entered the Diamond Club at Minute Maid Park Friday to reaffirm the fight against cancer as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Coaches' Huddle 3 cocktail party. Benefiting the American Cancer Society, the event brought together close to 30 blue chip college coaches in solidarity against the disease.

Being honored that evening was former University of Missouri bball coach Norm "Stormin' Norman" Stewart, the organization's founder. In 1989, Stewart came to Houston to receive critical tests for colon cancer, receiving treatment from the Texas Medical Center's own Dr. Walter Peters. "When I got clearance on those tests," the celebrated coach told CultureMap, "that was one of the happiest days of my life, right here in Houston."

Following his cancer victory, Stewart returned to Mizzou and launched a grassroots initiative to raise money for cancer research and awareness.

Since its inception, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised more than $70 million for cancer research and prevention.

"He started with what we called the 'three point attack,'" explained Ken Dennard, a member of the Coaches vs. Cancer national committee. "He got all of his fans to sign a pledge that for every three point shot the Tigers made during the year, we would donate a dollar. Now it's gone national. And these guys love giving back — many of the coaches have gone through their own cancer battles."

Among the top coaches on hand signing miniature basketballs were Ben Braun of Rice U., Virginia Tech's Seth Greenberg, Cornell's Bill Courtney, Michael Lonergan of University of Vermont , Notre Dame's Mike Brey and Tom Asbury from Pepperdine University. Attendees enjoyed a live and silent auction while commemorating Stewart's long career, which included 634 wins over the course of 32 seasons.

Also spotted in the crowd: Phoebe and Bobby Tudor,  Coaches vs. Cancer national director Jim Satalin, Warren Sapp, Joe and Amy O'Brien, Elliot Nunez and Debbie Greenlaw.

Of course, the real beneficiary of the evening was the Gulf Coast region of the American Cancer Society. "We're raising money to support programming at the grass roots community level," explained the regional vice president, Betti Guzman.

The regional chapter is currently funding nearly $20 million in cancer research in the Texas Medical Center, but the organization also provides direct services to patients and their families, such as transportation to and from life-saving treatments and temporary housing for patients, as wells as prevention and early detection awareness education.