Lon Kruger takes aim at shooting down cancer

It’s been 35 years since UNLV head basketball coach Lon Kruger claimed his second consecutive Big Eight Conference Player of the Year Award at Kansas State. But the popular Runnin’ Rebels’ head coach has decided to dust off his jump shot for a very good cause on Sunday night.

Kruger is hosting his second annual Coaches vs. Cancer Party at the Palms in the famed Hardwood Suite at The Palms Casino Resort starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $100 and benefit the American Cancer Society.

One of the highlights will be a silent auction that includes such prizes as a one hour putting lesson from UNLV golf coach Dwaine Knight, a round of golf with Kruger and Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux at Southern Highlands, a UNLV Runnin’ Rebel Game Day Experience that includes a pre-game meal with Kruger and the Rebels as well as four plaza tickets and an autographed ball, and an autographed Anna Kournikova picture and tennis t-shirt, to name just a few.

The Party at the Palms is also an excellent chance to meet, eat and mingle with Kruger and about two dozen head basketball coaches including former Rebels Jerry Tarkanian, Charlie Spoonhour and Max Good in the exclusive Hardwood Suite, which Palms owner George Maloof offered this week to President Barack Obama as a place to stay during a future Las Vegas visit.

If the President is as big of hoops nut as he claims to be, he might want to make the Hardwood Suite the new Western White House. It’s that nice … especially if you are a basketball junkie. Wooden floors, glass backboards and a locker room that’s nicer than most 5-star hotel suites. It’s worth the price of admission alone.

Kruger said people this year can also challenge coaches at the event to a shooting contest.

“Anyone at the function can challenge a coach to the shooting contest for $50,” Kruger said. “You’ll shoot from five different spots on the floor. If you beat (the coach), you get a $50 certificate to a local restaurant.”

Kruger said the $50 entry fee will help send a child with cancer to a summer camp. So it’s a win-win for everybody no matter how many air balls you jack up.

I’ve thought about challenging our fine old Rebel Nation columnist but I’m not as stupid as I look. Maybe if Lon agrees to wear a blindfold. That might make it a fair fight.

Kruger is also hosting his Coaches vs. Cancer golf tournament on Monday and Tuesday. For further information on both events, contact Melissa Stemmle of the American Cancer Society at 702-891-9012.