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Rutgers head coach Mike Rice to rappel down 50-story building in the name of cancer research

Mike Rice

Rutgers’ head coach Mike Rice yells to his team against Villanova during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Piscataway, N.J., Thursday, March 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

AP

Rutgers head coach Mike Rice is one of the nation’s more passionate head coaches when it comes to working the sidelines.

Coach Rice is also passionate when it comes to the fight against cancer, and he’ll be taking that to the next level on September 28 as he rappels down the 50-story Harborside Financial Center Plaza 5 in Jersey City.

According to Jerry Carino of Gannett New Jersey, Rice will be taking part in the American Cancer Society’s “Over the Edge” even to help raise money for cancer research.

This isn’t the first time this month that Rice, who is active in Coaches vs. Cancer, has worked with the ACS as he was one of four college head coaches to lobby for more funding on Capitol Hill last week.

The activity is estimated to take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, with a start time set for 9:30 am.

Of all the fundraisers that college coaches have held to raise money for cancer research, have any been as extreme as this one? Better yet, how many coaches would have the stones to do such a thing?

It’s rather apparent that Rice does.

“Cancer touches everyone,” noted Rice in a statement released by the school. “In my time working with Coaches versus Cancer, I have been inspired by many wonderful people fighting this terrible disease.

“As such, I have said that I would do anything in the fight against cancer. Put up or shut up. I’m putting up. Up high, actually.”

A member of the NABC’s Coaches vs. Cancer National Council, Rice and his wife also host an annual Tip-Off Dinner to raise money for cancer research with last year’s event raising around $40,000.

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.