Bruce Pearl has earned a reputation as one of college basketball's most energetic, outgoing and even outspoken coaches during his career. But one of the strongest statements ever made by the University of Tennessee men's basketball coach came in the form of silence.
During the 2007-2008 basketball season, Pearl honored the wishes of star guard Chris Lofton. The all-conference senior had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and had surgery during the off-season. The process of defeating cancer included an entire season of playing intense Division I basketball games while recovering from the disease and the treatment for it. Lofton didn't want anyone to know about his cancer until after the completion of the season, so Pearl remained silent.
With Lofton now public about his battle with cancer, coach Pearl is able to talk. And he's talking with his heart by getting behind a project called OUTLIVE. Inspired by Lofton's story, OUTLIVE will raise awareness of cancer prevention and detection while raising money for cancer outreach, education and screenings at The University of Tennessee Medical Center's Cancer Institute.
Follow the link to learn more about this new project.
