VCU men’s head basketball coach Shaka Smart was again selected as one of 48 NCAA basketball coaches to participate in the Fifth Annual ESPN/Infiniti Coaches Charity Challenge. The Coaches Charity Challenge is an online voting contest that begins Monday, January 5, 2015 at 3:00PM EST. Fans can vote for their favorite coach once a day to help participating coaches earn money for their chosen charity each round they advance. The overall winner gets $100,000 for their favorite organization.
Coach Smart has selected FRIENDS Association for Children, a local non-profit agency, which has been serving children and families in the Richmond community for over 140 years. “Maya and I visited the FRIENDS Centers and have seen firsthand the positive influence they have on the children,” Coach Smart said. “We want to do all we can to help their work to prepare these children for success in school.”
“We are extremely grateful for the tremendous commitment that Shaka and Maya have made to FRIENDS Association for Children,” said FRIENDS Executive Director, J. David Young. “Their support has had a huge impact on our ability to help our children and families and build awareness across the broader Central Virginia community. And this year, with the University of Virginia now a part of the competition, it is more important than ever for fans to vote every day for Coach Smart to show that our favorite coach is also Virginia’s favorite coach!”
To cast a vote for Coach Smart and FRIENDS, go to www.voteshaka.com or register at espn.com/Infiniti and click on the Infiniti Coaches Charity Challenge banner to vote. Votes can be made daily throughout the contest. A vote for Coach Smart helps FRIENDS help our children.
