SIU Med School Sponsors Men's Night Out with Syracuse Basketball Coach

Facing life's challenges on and off the basketball court is the topic of a free men's health event this month in Springfield featuring Jim Boeheim, Syracuse University basketball coach and prostate cancer survivor. The program is sponsored by the Prostate Center of the Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, the educational event for men begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, in Prairie Heart Institute Conference Center's main floor lobby, 619 E. Mason St.

Boeheim, head men's basketball coach at Syracuse, led his team to the 2003 NCAA Division I championship, capping its 27th straight winning season. He ranks second among active Division I coaches in winning percentage and seventh in victories. He also is active with a number of charities including "Coaches vs. Cancer," a national organization that raises money for cancer research.

The program begins with an informal reception with information about men's health topics including prostate health, offered by SIU School of Medicine and St. John's Hospital. There will be sign-up opportunities for prostate screenings and door prizes as well as food. At 6:30, the seminar portion features with talks by Dr. Robert Bussing, associate professor of internal medicine and chief of general internal medicine, on men's health; Dr. Thomas Tarter, associate professor of urology, on prostate cancer; Dr. Bradley Schwartz, associate professor of urology, on prostate health; and Boeheim on his basketball career and experience as a prostate cancer survivor. Boeheim will be available for questions and autographs following his talk.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men in the United States. It can be cured and the key to survival is early detection.

Sponsors for Men's Night Out are GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Inc., and Bank of Springfield.

To request a complimentary ticket for Men's Night Out, men age 21 and older may call SIU's surgery department at
217-545-7133 weekdays.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Times for media interviews will be announced.