OU men’s basketball head coach Greg Kampe and women’s head coach Beckie Francis are used to the pressure of coaching two high profile basketball teams. On Wednesday, Feb. 13, they will feel a different kind of heat. Kampe and Francis will be cooking meals on bd’s Mongolian Barbeque’s grill to raise money for cancer.
This is the third time Kampe and Francis have participated in the grilling event to raise money for Coaches vs. Cancer, a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
“We participate in a lot of community service events. This is a nationwide initiative by college basketball coaches to fight cancer,” Kampe said. There are many other awareness and fundraising events the coaches participate in throughout the year. “Saturday we wore tennis shoes instead of hard-sole shoes with our suits to coach the games. We also participate in golf outings and other events to raise money.”
Kampe said bd’s Mongolian Barbeque has supported OU each year the coaches have been grilling at the restaurant. This year, Kampe and Francis will be joined by assistant coaches from both basketball teams as they grill food on the 2,000-pound, 600-degree grill. All tips will go to Coaches vs. Cancer.
“It’s very fun interacting with all the people and grilling up the food,” Kampe said. “But it is hot and your arms hurt the next day.”
There will be two seatings for the event. The first will be at 6 p.m. and the second at 7:30 p.m. Call (248) 370-3190 ext. 0 to make a reservation.