MEAC men's basketball coaches are making a fashion statement while at the same time spreading an important message about healthcare.
A number of MEAC coaches are among more than 100 black Division I coaches wearing blue bow ties during their teams' games Feb. 18-26 as part of their involvement in ON THE LINE.
ON THE LINE is a national prostate cancer education and awareness campaign. During Black History Month, ON THE LINE is teaming up with the Black Coaches & Administrators (BCA, an organization that represents and supports African American collegiate basketball and football coaches, to encourage black men to learn the risk factors of prostate cancer and also how to communicate with loved ones and physician about their health.
One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, making it more prevalent than breast cancer. African American men are at even greater risk, as one in five will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. African American men are also more likely to develop prostate cancer than other ethnic groups and are more likely to die from the disease.
ON THE LINE and the BCA have proclaimed Feb. 18-26 Statement Week, and many of the highest profile black coaches in Division I are wearing bow ties and a ON THE LINE button to show their support and raise awareness of prostate cancer.
"I'm not a bow tie guy, but for the campaign I'll wear it,'' says Norfolk State coach Anthony Evans, whose father-in-law is a prostate cancer survivor. As a male (prostate cancer) is not talked about. It's a personal issue. It's kind of taboo. But women going to doctor and getting breast exams has happened through the years. This program is great to get that awareness out there, to get a dialogue started and to get early detection.''
Most MEAC coaches wear suits and neckties on the sideline, and some wear athletic apparel. The thinking is that fans will be curious when they see coaches wearing bow ties and ask why they're doing it, thus creating an opportunity spread the message about prostate cancer.
"Prostate cancer affects a lot of us, especially men of color,'' Howard University coach Kevin Nickelberry says, who like Evans isn't a bow tie kind of guy. "Even if one young man asks what does that mean and does something to gain awareness, it's worth doing it. It's beyond what type of guy you are. I thought wearing tennis shoes (in conjunction with Coaches vs. Cancer) was crazy. But it's not about what it looks like. It's about what effect it has on people who are watching. Over time the more we do it, people start watching and paying attention. If one person asks their dad to talk to his doctor, or one wife asks her husband, it's worth it.''
Considerable controversy and confusion about prostate cancer testing and if men should or should not be encouraged to take them has surfaced recently. Michael Burg, President of Edge Health and Edge Marketing and Entertainment and creator of the campaign, says ON THE LINE'S objective is to encourage men to talk about the disease so they can make an informed decision as it relates to testing.
"A lot of guys dealing with prostate cancer don't want to talk about it because of personal issues such as incontinence,'' Burg says. "It's very treatable and curable. With that in mind and realizing there's not that communication, we're using sports to create awareness. The issue is not getting checked. Now it's talking to your doctor. There might be higher risk factors. Once the doctor understands, he can advise.''
Burg says sports are a natural vehicle to reach the target audience for prostate cancer, males 40 and older. In addition, ON THE LINE is looking for specific pushes to reach specific groups, in this instance African American males. Conducting the campaign in February, Black History Month is a natural tie in, and MEAC coaches being involved was a no-brainer.
"Anything that we can do to shed some light or provide a spotlight on life-taking issues, we want to be involved,'' says MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis Thomas, whose father is a 10-year prostate cancer survivor. We all know cancer - particularly breast cancer and prostate cancer - is devastating to families across the world. There is no question in my mind that involving coaches will change that. To have the conference and coaches involved in this awareness campaign is worthwhile.''
Maryland Eastern Shore coach Frankie Allen says coaches' being involved in the ON THE LINE campaign sends a resounding message about the importance of prostate cancer awareness and education because of their stature in the community, and also because they are among the worst culprits when it comes to neglecting their health due to their schedules.
When they're not practicing or playing games, they are watching video in preparation for games, on the road recruiting or conducting clinics Therefore they tend to put off seeing their doctor.
Their participation, Allen says, is an attention grabber.
"It's great for the MEAC to be involved,'' he says. "Coaches are role models. All the coaches in the MEAC are black males, and black males are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. We're saying to the black community, our target community, you should take this serious. It's particularly important because of the high risk (among black men). We don't do the things that we need to do to take care of our health. It's good that MEAC coaches have come on board.''
North Carolina Central coach LeVelle Moton, whose grandmother died of breast cancer when he was 11, had never worn a bow tie prior to becoming involved with ON THE LINE.. However, he solidly supports what wearing it represents.
Moton and North Carolina Central Marketing Director LuAnn Edmonds-Harris last year, in conjunction with the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development, put together a prostate cancer awareness campaign called Together 4 the Cure when the Eagles played Florida A&M.
Information booths with material on prostate cancer were set up at strategic points in the gym; flyers were handed out, and announcements were made periodically throughout the men's and women's games. Moton and women's basketball coach Joli D. Robinson wore blue ribbons during their games.
Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity chapters from North Carolina Central, Duke and the University of North Carolina, whose colors are blue, were hosts for the women's games; and members of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority chapters, whose colors are also blue, were hosts for the men's game.
"The key is early detection,'' Moton says. "We (men) don't like going to the doctor. If we feel an ache, we may ice it down; we may put Icy Hot on it and keep going. It's important that we educate America to what's going on. What a better way to do that than wearing a blue bow tie. If one person sees me in a blue tie and asks why and if that person goes to the doctor, that's a success. If we can touch one person, that's a success. Cancer has been a disease that has affected each and every one of us in some way. The only way to fight the battle is by males getting checked. It starts with public figures and social networks. It's okay to get tested. It will prevent your demise and spare your family a lot of hurt.''