'Making out like bandits for a good cause'

Prized sports collectibles were auctioned off Saturday at Elgin Community College to raise money for cancer research.

A basketball signed by the University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summit, a signed A.J. Pierzynski baseball from the 2005 World Series, and an autographed framed photograph of Chicago Bears' Devin Hester were among the items offered during the four-hour silent auction.

Now in its fifth year, the Jimmy V "Never Give Up" Fundraiser has raised about $25,000 for the cancer research foundation.

About half a dozen people milled around the items set up on the concourse of the Spartan Events Center, while the men's basketball team competed inside.

Money raised from the silent auction will benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The foundation was established in 1993 by EPSN and the late North Carolina State University basketball coach Jim Valvano to fund cancer research.

"A lot of local people come out to the games and to give to a good cause," said Jim McLaughlin, the auction organizer and ECC's head women's basketball coach. "All of the money goes right toward cancer research to hopefully find a research for all types of cancer."

Various retailers like Target and Dick's Sporting Goods also donated money and merchandise to the cause, McLaughlin said. And restaurants like Nick's Pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings and Sweet Tomatoes also provided gift certificates and gift cards.

"Our old neighbors told us about the auction," said Diane Suire of Elgin, whose son Jonathan is a member of the Spartan's basketball team. "It seems like a good cause and we have personal friends affected by cancer."

Suire and her husband, Norman, bid on several items, including restaurant vouchers and tickets to University of Illinois men's basketball games.

"It's free food and a free game that we get out of this," Norman Suire said. "We are making out like bandits for a good cause."