In October of 2011, Coach Kevin Wilkinson and his wife Julie initiated the first Coaches vs Cancer football game fundraising event in collaboration with Hartford Union High School.  Coach Wilkinson, a member of the Slinger varsity football coaching staff, battled terminal colon cancer for 4 years, and on November 27, a little over a month after that first game, Kevin was called home after his own personal hard-fought fight. A traveling trophy was created in his memory. On October 21st, 2016, just one week after the CvC game that year, Darrell Redders, the father of Hartford’s head football coach John Redders, was taken by cancer as well.  A decision was made to rename the trophy to the Wilkinson - Redders Memorial Trophy, with a rededication performed in 2017. In 2024, the trophy was once again rededicated to the Wilkinson-Redders-Jacklin Memorial Trophy in memory of Slinger head coach Bill Jacklins’ wife Brenda, who fought vigorously, but was also taken in April of 2023 by cancer. 

Thanks to your incredible support, last year’s CvC event raised $20,592.95—bringing our 15-year total to well over $200,000 and making us one of the top high school CvC fundraisers in Wisconsin for over a decade!Our goal is to keep this powerful tradition alive and exceed last year’s record!

Join us for the 16th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Football Game as the Slinger Owls take on the Hartford Orioles in the “Battle of the Birds”!

Event Information: 
Friday, October 9, 2026
Slinger Owls @ Hartford Orioles 
7:00 PM Kickoff

Show Your Support — Pre-Order Your T-Shirt!
CvC T-Shirts: Available to order beginning Friday, August 21 at Hootie Fest or online. 

Ways to Support the Event:
CvC T-Shirt Sponsorship: Please return sponsorship form by September 18, 2026.
Donations: Cash, gift cards/certificates, and prize-drawing items are needed for game night.
Please return donation forms by September 28, 2026. Donors will be recognized in the game-night program, and arrangements can be made for item pickup.
Online Auction & Tributes: October 2–16.

All proceeds go directly to cancer research and support.  Visit Relay for Life for further ​details.

Thank you for your continued generosity and support in this important fight.