UW students #MakeBoPay $41,279 for charity

Published Oct. 25, 2012 9:23 p.m. ET

foxsports

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin basketball coach Bo Ryan and his wife, Kelly, challenged University of Wisconsin students to help them raise money for the American Cancer Society and Coaches vs. Cancer on Thursday night at the Kohl Center.

UW students proved they were certainly up to the task.

More than 1,600 students participated in the Charity Stripe Challenge and put a serious dent in Ryan’s wallet, raising $41,279. The Ryans had promised to donate one dollar for every UW student that walked into the Kohl Center for the event. Students then had an opportunity to raise even more money for cancer research. A made free throw was worth a $10 donation from the Ryans and a made-half court shot was worth a $1,000 donation.

"I’m surprised and overwhelmed by the outpouring from our students," Bo Ryan said in a release. "It was just unbelievable, and all I can say is thank you.

"My wife and I did this event because we firmly believe that with enough funding, a cure for cancer will be found. We took this as another opportunity to have our team interact with the students and involve our campus in this event. What a fun time and for a great cause. I figure one of these half-court shots might be the difference in curing cancer."

Nearly all Wisconsin athletic teams were represented as well as several campus organizations. In total, 36 UW students made half-court shots.

"It was such a pleasure to shake the hands of about 1,500 hands and see the smiles on everyone’s faces," Ryan said. "My cheeks hurt a little from smiling, and I’m sure I’ll have a little carpel tunnel in my hand, but it’s OK. It’s all worth it."

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