WVU pitcher Chansen Cole (at center) smiles during the 2026 Golf and Sporting Clays Classic after-event at Stonewall Resort.
The 2026 Golf and Sporting Clays Classic raised more than $100,000 — a new record — to provide support and assistance for patients at the WVU Cancer Institute.
The fundraising event, held July 17 at Stonewall Resort, benefits the Live Like Brent Comfort Fund and the Connection 304 Fund.
The Comfort Fund, established by the Live Like Brent Foundation, honors Brent Evans, a WVU graduate who died of blood cancer in 2017. The fund supports patients facing ripple effects associated with treating the disease, helping cover costly prescriptions, travel, hotel stays, and other emotional and financial challenges.
The Connection 304 Fund supports the Cancer Institute’s greatest needs and was established by “3 Guys Before the Game” podcast hosts Tony Caridi, Brad Howe, and Hoppy Kercheval.
“West Virginians care deeply about taking care of their fellow citizens in their time of need, and that was evident at our annual Golf and Sporting Clays Classic," Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, M.D., executive chair and director of the WVU Cancer Institute, Jean and Laurence DeLynn chair of Oncology, and associate professor of surgery at the WVU School of Medicine, said. "It is heartwarming to see, but at the same time not surprising, because that’s just who we are. We want to help take care of people.”
WVU Mountaineer Reese Allen (at center) poses with a sporting clays team at the 2026 Golf and Sporting Clays Classic.
The Golf and Sporting Clays Classic is growing in popularity, raising $54,000 at the inaugural event in 2024 and $75,000 in 2025, when sporting clays were added to the golf outing. More than 140 people participated in this year’s event.
The event included a WVU sports-themed dinner after-event hosted by Caridi, Howe, and Kercheval. They welcomed Chansen Cole, pitcher for the WVU baseball team, and Finley Bizjack, a newly signed WVU men’s basketball player, among other guests and entertainment.
The event was made possible thanks to official dinner sponsor Crossroads Property Rescue and other event sponsors including Mascaro Construction, Northeast Natural Energy, Clear Mountain Bank, Inner Action Media, Tudor’s Biscuit World, and Smooth Ambler Spirits.
Visit Cancer.WVUMedicine.org/Giving for more information about supporting the WVU Cancer Institute.
All contributions to the WVU Cancer Institute are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University and its affiliated entities.
For more information about the WVU Cancer Institute, visit WVUMedicine.org/Cancer.