Hartford, WI – Slinger and Hartford High Schools are thrilled to announce this year’s “Coaches vs. Cancer” event was a resounding success. The two communities came together this past fall and managed to raise an incredible $18,560.31, marking the highest total since the event’s inception in 2011.
Plus, next year the trophy will receive a new name, rededicating it as the Wilkinson-Redders-Jacklin Memorial Trophy.
The event started in 2011 by Kevin Wilkinson, a Slinger football coach who was fighting his own personal battle with cancer at the time. Kevin passed away two months after the first game, but it was his wish that we carry on.
The “Coaches vs Cancer” game then became an annual event. The traveling trophy was created in Wilkinson’s memory and in 2022, the traveling trophy was renamed the “Wilkinson/Redders” traveling trophy after Hartford Head John Redders lost his father to cancer the previous year.
Now the name Jacklin is being added to honor Brenda Jacklin, Slinger Head Coach Bill Jacklin’s wife, who passed away after a long battle with brain cancer this past April.
The Slinger Owls came home with the trophy this year with a 31-14 win over the Hartford Orioles on Friday, October 6. The real victory, however, is seen in the generosity of both communities who support this event and give 100% of the profit to the American Cancer Society.
We can’t wait to share this moment of respect and remembrance with all of you next year as we continue to rally, fight, and triumph over cancer. So, get your game face on and mark your calendars for next year’s event on September 6.
Click HERE to learn more about the Coaches vs Cancer events.
