The Sport Leadership Club invites the Grand Valley State University community to celebrate the memory of Dean of Multicultural Affairs Oliver Wilson at the second annual Cancer Awareness Football Jam.

The event, which will raise money for the American Cancer Society, will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the Laker Turf Building.

Participants will play in a flag football tournament, and Momentum and AFA Fraternity will perform at the half-time show.

The tournament celebrates Oliver Wilson, who joined GVSU’s staff in 1997 and was named dean of multicultural affairs in 2003. Wilson died on Aug. 31, 2009 after a three-year battle with cancer. This year, his family will attend the tournament, assist in the coin flips and present the winners.

“He was a huge influence to all students. He reached out, too, and even though I never knew him personally, he was a huge influence to the GVSU campus and Multicultural Affairs,” said senior Drew Janowiak, chief charity officer of the event.

Each flag football team will be comprised of 10 players, three of whom must be women. The teams will compete in 7-on-7 games in a double-elimination format. Each game will have two 12-minute periods.

The GVSU flag football rules will apply during the tournament, and referees and trainers will be on-site throughout the day. The club anticipates a total of 15 teams and more than 200 spectators from both the campus and the community.

“We are hoping to bring in outside students along with others as well to keep the community involved for such a good cause,” said Abby Rodman, CEO of the event.

Free food will be provided for those in attendance. Spectators can also participate in raffles, music and games.

“(Wilson) did great things, and we are trying to keep his name within GVSU by providing the students an opportunity to play flag football while also raising money for a good cause,” Rodman, said. “Because the money is going to a good cause and for someone who did great things for GVSU for many years, now it is our turn to bring something to Dr. Oliver Wilson and his family.”

For more information, email the GV Sport Leadership Club at [email protected].

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