S.D. Coaches Against Cancer: Organization has raised more than $300,000 for scholarships, charity

VOLGA — George Kiner isn't willing to take the credit for all his efforts the past two decades that have helped the South Dakota Coaches Against Cancer organization provide thousands of dollars in charitable donations.

The Hayti native and former coach at South Shore, Hazel and Volga has been involved from the onset with an organization that was formed to help former friend, fellow coach and college teammate Dave Prohl of Castlewood deal with expenses in his fight with cancer.

"I've had an incredible amount of support from Day 1," said Kiner. "Early on, we had sport shops who sold our books with taking any commission and many others have helped. What I'm saying is we've raised money and it hasn't just been George Kiner. It's been the support from people all over the place."

Still, it was Kiner who spent the better part of three days last week at the state high school track and field meet at Sioux Falls manning a booth by himself under the stands at Howard Wood Field.

The organization has raised more than $300,000 through the years by selling a series of history books on South Dakota sports (mainly high school), as well as other books and CDs.

Kiner is extremely proud that nearly 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of these items go directly to scholarships benefitting kids dealing with cancer as well as a group of children's charities.

"It's been an example of what can happen when the people of South Dakota are willing to help. They understand that there's no money going anywhere else but where it needs to go," said Kiner.

As mentioned, the idea from the organization grew when Kiner's friend Prohl was fighting a battle with cancer that eventually took his life.

The first book, which was compiled with the help of South Dakota State University professor Charles Woodard, is called "Tall Tales But True" and includes a collection of stories from coaches and other sports figures around the state.

It's still part of the many items available for purchase that include: South Dakota High School Mascots, 90 Years of the Howard Wood Relays, Test Your Knowledge about Famous South Dakota Sports People, South Dakota High School Coaches Association Annual Awards and Coaches Hall of Fame, Basketball Hall of Shrine and Amateur Baseball Championship Memories.

There's also history books on many high school sports in South Dakota, including football, boys basketball, girls basketball, Class B and A wrestling and girls and boys track and field. A series of CDs are also on the menu.

"When I'm out selling the book, you can't believe all the stories I hear from the people I talk to," said Kiner. "Everybody has a story and it's almost always about somebody losing a game, not winning one."

Kiner's involvement is in part due to his friendship with Prohl — he served as the best man's at Prohl's wedding — and also a way of honoring his older brother Charles Joe. Kiner's parents faced a tough decision in the early 1940s when they made the decision to send Charles Joe, who had cerebral palsy, to live in a nursing home in Redfield.

"My brother never walked or talked and my parents had to make a decision on what they were going to do," said Kiner. "I have a special place in my heart for kids who have gone or are going through stuff."

Kiner often does the leg work in updating the books, at least the ones telling the history of the various sports, each year.

Jim Dorman of Sioux Falls, the executive director of the South Dakota High School Coaches Association, said Kiner asked several years ago if the SDHSCA would use its scholarship program to find athletes who had either gone through some medical problems or a family member who may have.

The money is invested with the South Dakota Community Foundation, which awards 4-6 $1,000 scholarship each year including one in memory of Prohl. Since 2008, more than $50,000 in scholarships have been awarded. The organization also contributes $1,000 annually to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, Stand Up 2 Cancer, Sanford Children's Miracle Network and the St. Jude Children Hospital.

The South Dakota Coaches Against Cancer group does have a board of people who help the organization, but it's the 79-year-old Kiner who has been front and center from the beginning. He's yet to find someone willing to step in and take over when the time comes, but feels blessed to have  been involved all these years.

"A person needs a project when they retire. I can fish, but this has really given me something to do," said Kiner. "It's been very healthy for my brain. It's a project and I get a lot of positive reinforcement."

More information on South Dakota Coaches Against Cancer sports history books can be found online at https://www.sdhsca.org/sdcac. Kiner can be reached by phone at 605-627-9290 or by email: georgekiner@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: S.D. Coaches Against Cancer: Organization has raised more than $300,000 for scholarships, charity