It was another successful year for the students and faculty at the Albany Academies Coaches vs. Cancer High School Challenge. With the tireless effort of Coach Fruscio, the dedicated time put in by the Bestle family, and all the hard work by the students, the Albany Academy raised over $17,000 for the American Cancer Society bringing the three year total up to $50,000.

“It was a great Academy day—for all the right reasons,” said Coach Brian Fruscio after all the festivities came to an end on Sunday.

For many volunteers the day started as early as 8:00 a.m. at the ARC Arena at Siena College. Mr. and Mrs. Bestle were there along with Coach Fruscio and many Academy students. All were busy setting up the arena for a full day of exciting basketball games.

While many people in the world associate cancer in the basketball world with Jim Valvano, the legendary coach at North Carolina State University, this iconic college basketball figure is not the only one who inspired Fruscio. Coach Fruscio’s grandfather passed away from cancer in 1988. “He was an unbelievable influence in my life,” Fruscio said, and that is what inspires him to be a part of this great event.

All the volunteers both students and faculty members put in a great deal of effort throughout the day to make this event a special as it could be. Even though Sunday was a day we can remember as a school it wasn’t the day for our basketball squad. The Cadets lost a tough battle with Nichols, a team based out of Buffalo, New York. The final score was 65-43. Frusico ended the day saying, “Today was our day as an institution, but it wasn’t our day basketball-wise.” The school hopes to continue the event in the years to come. Why shouldn’t it? $50,000 raised in three years for a good cause – what can get better that that?