BALTIMORE – Like the student-athletes that Coppin State’s Michael Grant, Carl Hicks, Alecia Shields-Gadson and Billie Wilson mentor and coach, the quartet all had ice water in their veins during their collegiate playing careers.

Monday afternoon under azure skies, they gained additional acclaim, along with sports information director Rob Knox, for not flinching one muscle while having giant buckets of ice water tossed upon each of their respective heads by Coppin State student-athletes.

Each person that was doused was challenged by staff members at another school or media members, who already got soaked as part of the nationwide “Chillin’ 4 Charity” phenomenon to benefit the Kay Yow Foundation for cancer research. The Cold Water Challenge was started by Arizona women's basketball coach Niya Butts as a fundraiser for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

Before each member of the quintet was doused with water, they all issued challenges to those at other schools inside and outside of the MEAC.

Once challenged, each coach or player has 48 hours to respond. Any head coach that chooses not to participate owes $250 to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. If the coach does participate in the challenge, the original challenger will donate $50 to the foundation. Assistant coaches also earn money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund with their participation, while student-athletes will give back through community service.

The Kay Yow Foundation, located in Cary, N.C., near Raleigh, works on raising awareness and battling the disease on behalf of the late great North Carolina State coach and multi-Hall of Famer Kay Yow, who guided the United States to the Olympic gold medal and later succumbed to breast cancer after a lengthy and courageous battle.