MANSFIELD, Ohio — Judging by all the texts and emails he has received, Mansfield Christian secondary school principal Mark DeLaney is expecting a full house Monday evening in Lexington.
Mansfield Christian and Lexington will meet in a boys basketball Foundation Game with the proceeds going to longtime area official John Gurney as he continues his battle against cancer. The junior varsity game tips at 6 p.m. with the varsity to follow. Tickets are $5 at the gate.
“The response throughout the community has been amazing,” said DeLaney, who helped organize the event. “People have been asking me if there is anything they can to do to help.”
Before the game, there will be a meet-and-greet with Gurney and his family at the Heartland Alliance Church in Lexington at 5 p.m.
“It will give people an opportunity to wish John well and pray for him and his family,” DeLaney said. “John will speak at the church and give his testimony.”
A 2015 Ohio High School Athletic Association Officials’ Hall of Fame inductee, Gurney was diagnosed with skin cancer in January. The Shelby native is one of the area’s longest-tenured — and most well-respected — officials, having called games for more than 40 years.
“We have all the respect in the world for John, even when he makes a bad call,” Lexington athletic director Joe Roberts joked. “He has a lot of clout in the community and we couldn’t think of a better way to recognize him and all he has done for the area.”
Both Roberts and DeLaney thanked the game’s two primary sponsors, Mechanics Bank and Modern Woodmen of America. Gurney is a vice president at Mechanics Bank.
“Mechanics Bank took care of the Foundation Game fee for both schools and Greg Boyce and Modern Woodmen are making a matching gift of up to $2,500,” Roberts said. “We can’t thank them enough.
“We hope everyone comes out to see some great basketball and express their appreciation for John. He has been a valuable resource to the area for a long time.”
