Thank You Coach Pearl

It’s late Saturday afternoon, and the Auburn Family is celebrating. An 80-71 win over Kentucky in men’s basketball will do that for a fan base.

But while Auburn fans are feeling happy, a teenager from Vestavia Hills, Alabama is feeling over the moon. And his sheer joy is all due to something college basketball fans didn’t see.

Yesterday’s light practice was about to begin at Auburn Arena. But before the Tigers left the locker room for the basketball court, in walked the 17-year-old. Gray sweatshirt and sweatpants. 5-foot-2, 94 pounds. No hair, but plenty of hope.

It was March of 2017 when Sam Cunningham heard the news. The then 12-year-old who dreamed of playing baseball and basketball at Vestavia Hills High School was shocked. The pre-teen who suddenly had his dream shattered. The great kid who learned that he was being diagnosed with leukemia.

Sam Cunningham fought the fight for four years. He went into remission and formed a bond with Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl. Coach Pearl was Sam’s biggest fan, and Coach Pearl was Sam’s.

Coach Pearl told Sam, “Cancer picked the wrong hombre. They picked the wrong dude to mess with. You will beat this.”

It was last November- just ten weeks ago- when Sam heard the news. He had relapsed, and his cancer was back. Sam’s parents Patrick and Lisa and his brothers Luke and Zac were heartbroken. But Sam has been fighting harder than ever.

The frail teen was introduced in the locker room yesterday in front of the Auburn players.

“This is my friend Sam”, said Coach Pearl. “And he’s an inspiration.” Sam Cunningham was overjoyed, for he was part of the team. Sam sat in on a team meeting and then walked onto the court to watch practice.

Sam Cunningham’s heart was racing. There he stood alongside Walker Kessler, Jabari Smith, K.D. Johnson and Wendell Green, Jr. Handshakes, hugs encouragement, even a presentation of special T-shirts. And later in the day? Sam received another surprise.

Right there on Coach Pearl’s Twitter page was a shout out to Sam! Wrote the Coach: “Sam Cunningham is one of my top targets in 2023.” “The junior from Vestavia Hills is the best managerial prospect in the country.” “Family made an unofficial visit to campus today!”

Sam Cunningham will be back to taking virtual classes on Monday. The 17-year-old junior is on pace to graduate from VHHS in the spring of 2023. Sam has already chosen his college. It’s the university that bleeds orange and blue.

Coach Pearl and the Tigers will be hosting their annual AUTLIVE Cancer game on February 12th. Sam won’t be able to attend, as he will be starting new immunotherapy treatments.

The Cunningham family is hoping the new therapy beats back the cancer. Sam will certainly be watching the Texas A&M game, and there’s a chance that Coach Pearl will check in.

The Auburn Tigers are celebrating a huge win today. They are also celebrating the spirit and the drive and the optimism of their new friend. A 5-foot-2, 94 pounder with one of the biggest hearts you will find.

A kid named Sam Cunningham of Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

A kid who helped the Auburn players bond less than 24 hours before their big game.

It was something that college basketball fans didn’t see.

Something that Sam Cunningham and the Tigers will never forget.