Annual Cheltenham Alumni Game is More Than Just a Game

Cheltenham held its Annual Lady Panther Alumni Game on Jan. 7. The event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society/Coaches vs. Cancer.

Photos provided courtesy of Kenny St. George.

There are alumni games and then there’s the Annual Lady Panther Alumni Game at Cheltenham. The event - the brainchild of alum Misha Horsey - is much more than just a basketball game. It’s a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society/Coaches vs. Cancer, and it also represents an effort to regenerate interest in Cheltenham athletes while supporting those who are battling cancer. This year $2,000 was raised and donated to the cause.

“Our collaboration with the American Cancer Society came from a personal experience of mine,” Horsey said. “I lost my grandmother to colon cancer, so that was a personal connection.

“We’re bringing the Lady Panthers together for something that affects us all. I thought it was an easy buy-in because we’ve all been affected in some way. That was the motivating factor for me to have it in conjunction with the American Cancer Society.”

The gym walls are filled with banners acknowledging the program’s unparalleled success under former coach Bob Schaefer in its storied past – PIAA Class 4A state titles in 2000 and 2007, district titles in 1996, 1999, 2001 and 2002 and conference championships in 22 of 24 years.

Prior to the game, a free girls’ basketball clinic hosted by former Lady Panther players was held for girls in grades five through eight.

“This is our fifth year, and every year we try to reunite the Lady Panther family,” Horsey said. “It’s always a great legacy, and we want to continue to keep that legacy alive. I feel like it’s so special, and we want to be sure we’re inspiring young girls to play basketball.

“We’ve created that strong legacy, so we want to keep empowering these girls that are part of Cheltenham’s athletic program today that – yes, you can create your own legacy. It’s a lot of strong history here. We built a strong foundation, and we realize the positive experiences we’ve had being part of this program so we want to make sure we’re inspiring young girls to do the same.”

The culmination of the celebration, which includes food and vendors, is the alumni game – which the past two years is co-ed. Included on the rosters were players who have gone on to excel at the collegiate level and included Horsey (Stonybrook), Antonia Gale (La Salle), Brandi Butler-Millis (Richmond), Nicole Pender (Mansfield), Lorraine Oliver (St. Francis, Pa.), Stacey Smalls (Temple), Shayla Felder (Chestnut Hill), Chris Pender (Mansfield), Pat Fleury (Mansfield), Pat Mansell (Rider) and Austin Johnson (Rutgers).