Drug and alcohol awareness is theme of annual hoops fundraiser

Competitors reached for the goal of raising funds for an alcohol and drug awareness program during an April 16 basketball game that matched staff members from Roncalli High School in Indianapolis against doctors from St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers. Brian Lauck, an assistant coach for the Roncalli football team, swoops toward the basket in the Docs vs. Jocks vs. Drugs game. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

Considering the stakes, the basketball game that was played at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis on April 16 had a significance that extended far beyond most games.

Of course, there was the usual intense competition that marks any athletic contest between two Catholic institutions. But the Docs vs. Jocks vs. Drugs game that pitted doctors from St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers against staff members from Roncalli had a higher purpose than bragging rights.

No one knows that purpose better than Dr. Don Kerner, the retired chief medical officer at St. Francis, who started the annual basketball game 24 years ago to raise money and awareness about the effects that drug and alcohol abuse can have on teenagers and their families.

“It’s a problem in every community,” Kerner says. “It begins as soon as they become teenagers. It doesn’t matter if it’s a city school, an urban school or a suburban school. It crosses all economic layers.

“It’s not a question of if your child will be approached to use drugs and alcohol. It’s a question of when because they will be. What matters is, ‘How does that teenager respond?’ The studies show that the more attention and the more education we give to this issue, the better the results.”

So Kerner was on the St. Francis bench again on April 16, serving as the team’s manager for the game which raised money that Roncalli plans to use in the next school year for a program to address issues about drug and alcohol abuse among teenagers, and help students make the right choices in life.

Yet while the issue is a serious one, an atmosphere of fun always overflows during the event. The Indiana Pacers mascot, Boomer, entertained the crowd. Roncalli’s show choir performed during halftime. And the school’s band played throughout the game, with the cymbals and the drums pounded as the doctors shot free throws. In the end, the doctors overcame the home court antics and advantage, winning 73-62.

“The docs did a great job,” glowed Bob Tully, Roncalli’s campus minister, who served as the head coach for the school’s team. “Our talent was good, just not as good as theirs. It was a good game. Our experience is nothing but positive with St. Francis. They always want to give back to the community. They are a great group of people. And they’ve been doing this for 24 years.”

Besides the win, two notable streaks continued for the St. Francis squad. Five of the doctors on this year’s team have played all 24 years—Pat Enright, Bob Robinson, Don Rockey, Phil Snyder and Tom Wisler. The team has also been coached during those 24 years by Dr. Marvin Christie.

“He’s the glue that keeps our team together,” Kerner says. “It’s been very gratifying to see the response of the physician community. We’ve had well over 100 physicians play in these games over the 24-year span. The docs tell the host high school that we will double the gate [proceeds] up to a total of $5,000. There is no expense for the school. The more attendance they have, the more money they raise. For the past 10 years, the range that schools have gained from the game has been $6,000 to $10,000.”

Nearly every high school on the southside of Indianapolis has held one of the Docs vs. Jocks vs. Drugs games, according to Kerner. This year’s game marked the third time it has been played at Roncalli during the 24 years.

“All the schools’ administrators understand the problem is there with alcohol and drug use,” Kerner says. “The schools now, whether they’re public or private, don’t have the funds to support these programs. They’re willing to participate in this program because if the message gets to just a few students who don’t go down the road of drugs or alcohol, it’s well worth it.” †