Coaches vs Cancer Shoes Auction

Xander Gunnell, a true-blooded Aggie

During our Coaches vs Cancer game, sponsored by Intermountain Health and Intermountain Children's Health, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Xander Gunnell served as the honorary starter and left a lasting impact on everyone involved. Xander is a 12-year old cancer survivor with a big heart, a bright smile, and an incredible love for life. He designed special camo shoes, which were hand painted by students from the USU Caine School of the Arts and gifted to our coaches and support staff.

Xander's story deeply touched our athletics department, as he embodies what it means to be a true-blooded Aggie. We will be auctioning off the coaches' shoes, with all proceeds going directly to Xander's family to help cover his most recent medical bills.

Please consider showing your support for Xander by bidding on these one of a kind shoes and helping make a meaningful difference for his family.

Auction closes Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Following the close of the auction, winners will be contacted by USU Athletics and may choose a men's basketball student-athlete to sign their shoes. This opportunity applies to all shoes except the Coach Calhoun signed shoe.

Winning bidders' shoes will be shipped to the address provided, post auction.

Xander's story:

At just 17 months old, Xander was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and endured emergency surgery, intensive chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants. In late 2023, he faced another major challenge when doctors discovered a second tumor in his neck, requiring additional surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Today, Xander's scans show no signs of cancer.

Despite lasting side effects and physical limitations, Xander's positive attitude has carried him and his family through every challenge. He loves being in middle school, learning, and spending time with kids his age, especially after missing out on so much early in life. Xander enjoys playing Halo and Lego Star Wars on his Xbox, building and customizing Lego Star Wars sets, and learning everything he can about ships like the Titanic. He also loves swimming, shooting hoops in the pool, bowling, riding his three wheel bike, and walking his dog.

The youngest of five siblings with three sisters and one brother, Xander deeply loves his family and is always ready to be anyone's friend. His resilience, curiosity, and joy are a constant inspiration, and his family is grateful for every day they get to share with him.