USC's coach Eric Musselman attends cancer charity Tour de Pier event

A major part of USC athletics across all sports is giving back to the community. Now, having just completed its 13th annual event, coach Eric Musselman shared that he had attended the Tour de Pier with his family.

Taking place on the Manhattan Beach Strand this past Sunday, the Tour de Pier serves as an excellent opportunity to raise money for three important causes that aid in cancer support and research. As stated by the event's website, the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the Uncle Kory Foundation, and Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach receive the proceeds from the fundraising efforts.

In a collective stationary bike endeavor, cycling becomes an excellent collaboration that raises funds for the three aforementioned worthy causes.

Causes of the Tour de Pier

The mission of the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research is to find a cure for the disease in honor of Ronald S. Hirshberg. Before passing away due to pancreatic cancer, Hirshberg enjoyed participating in offshore racing competitions and riding his motorcycle. 

It is fitting for the Tour de Pier to be an outdoor Los Angeles event in something that was the foundation's original inspiration for continuing their work in the field of cancer research.

A non-profit that focuses on the research of brain cancer, the Uncle Kory Foundation also participates in and is a beneficiary of the Tour de Pier. In honor of a selfless community man, Kory Lewis Hunter, their mission is to help those affected by glioblastoma and help be part of what ultimately can provide family members to those affected by the disease.

Since 1987, the Cancer Support Community South Bay has provided emotional and psychological help for those affected by the disease. Their aim is to help feelings of isolation and promote a greater sense of togetherness for people in the most difficult time in their lives. Offering over 200 types of different services for free that cancer patients can access, their outreach encompasses over 170 locations.

Seeing coach Musselman join the activities of the day that help such tremendous causes further illustrates how USC can and does make an impact in the community. The final scorelines and team aspects are important for the university, but involvement like that with the Tour de Pier shows and means a lot more.