mUniversity of Minnesota Head Football Coach Glen Mason is teaming up with the Children's Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) to raise money in the battle against childhood cancer.

Gopher fans can pledge money for each first down the Gophers achieve during the 2000 season through the "First Down for CCRF" program. Financial contributions support the research, prevention and treatment of childhood cancer at the University of Minnesota - the nation's pre-eminent facility for the treatment of cancer in children. Pledge forms are available by calling Barb Koch at CCRF at (952) 893-9355 or 1-888-4- CCRF-48, at all Gopher home football games or through the CCRF website www.childrenscancer.com.

As part of Gophers' partnership with Children's Cancer Research Fund, a pediatric cancer survivor will join the Gopher team as honorary captain for the coin toss prior to each 2000 home football.

The 2000 spring football game and pregame "Breakfast Huddle with the Gophers" raised approximately $10,000 for CCRF.

CCRF has raised more than $22 million since 1983. Eighty-three percent of the money raised funds programs to find a cure for childhood cancer at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center. Due to progress in research, the cancer cure rate has increased from 10 percent in 1947 to over 75 percent in 2000.

"Getting to a bowl game was an outstanding accomplishment for the Gopher Football Team last year," Mason said. "It took years of dedication and hard work to achieve this level of competition. Our young men work hard every day to build themselves into the best possible football players and student-athletes. But this is nothing compared to the valiant effort put forth by a child with cancer - the hurdles, both physical and emotional are incredible.

As a parent, educator and coach, helping kids is my passion! I cannot think of a better partnership than University of Minnesota Gopher Football and the Children's Cancer Research Fund."