Coach Jeff Capel Raising Awareness on Court

Originally Published: Dec 16, 2009 12:6 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel is raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease by donning a lapel on his jacket during every Sooner basketball game this season.

Capel participated in a statewide campaign with the Alzheimer’s Association to inform Oklahomans about the deadly disease.

Approximately 74,000 Oklahomans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Disease 2009 Facts and Figures. The number of people could fill the Lloyd Noble Center, where the Sooners play home games, more than six times.

Coach Capel will wear the lapel in hopes of spreading awareness and education to the people of Oklahoma.

“It is our hope that coach Capel’s lapel pin will encourage conversation about the issue, which will inevitably reduce the negative stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s,” said Mark Fried, executive vice president of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Coach is a true Champion for our mission and we are proud that he is on our team.”

For more information on coach Capel’s cause, call the Alzheimer’s Association 24-hour helpline at 800-272-3900.

The association also offers support groups, education programs, care consultations, and information and referral.