Roger Maris All-Star Week Expands Beyond Golf to Boost Cancer Center and Youth Sports

Five years ago the Roger Maris Celebrity Golf Tournament was restructured into a multi-day “All-Star Week.” The format now includes 24 events—18 sports clinics, a gala dinner, and an 18-hole tournament—shifting the primary purpose from a single golf outing to fundraising for the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center and engaging more than 700 local children.

Inforum

Baseball legend Roger Maris, a 1961 home-run record holder and Fargo Shanley graduate, was honored through a golf tournament that began over two decades ago. The accompanying Edith Sanford 9-hole scramble has reached its 42nd edition, underscoring the event’s longevity and its deep ties to the community.

Inforum

The week features former NFL players Chad Greenway and Phil Hansen, former North Dakota State athletic director Gene Taylor, football coach Chris Klieman, and Olympic figure-skater Scott Hamilton, who brings his personal cancer-survivor experience and the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation. Student-athletes from North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota assist with logistics. Sanford Health, represented by Joel Vettel, serves as the primary health-care partner.

Inforum

• June 15 (Mon): Official kickoff at the Fargo Parks Sports Center with a football clinic.

Inforum

• June 17 (Wed): Roger Maris Gala dinner celebrating cancer-center milestones.

Inforum

• June 19 (Thu): Edith Sanford 9-hole scramble followed by the 18-hole tournament at Rose Creek Golf Course, both sold out.

Inforum

• Throughout the week: 18 youth clinics covering a range of sports.

Inforum

• Participants: >700 children across clinics and events.

Inforum

• Events: 24 total, with 18 dedicated sports clinics.

Inforum

• Fundraising: Proceeds directed to the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center.

Inforum

• Attendance: Both golf events reported sold-out status, indicating strong community support.

Inforum

The expanded format leverages celebrity involvement and youth engagement to generate sustained financial support for cancer treatment and research while promoting active lifestyles among local children. The model illustrates how a regional sports tradition can evolve into a multifaceted charitable platform.

Inforum

Roger Maris Jr. emphasized the event’s multi-generational continuity and the collective effort required to sustain it. Joel Vettel of Sanford Health highlighted the deliberate selection of participants whose personal cancer narratives reinforce the fundraiser’s mission. Both spokespeople noted the Maris family’s ongoing commitment and the importance of community “village” involvement.

Inforum

• “It’s crazy to think that we’re doing this for the 42nd time,” — Roger Maris Jr., Son of Roger Maris

Inforum

• “It takes a village to pull it off,” — Roger Maris Jr.

Inforum

• “We’re very selective on who we bring in,” — Joel Vettel, Sanford Health

Inforum

• “When you look at Scott Hamilton, here's a guy who not only has had an incredible career but also has an incredible cancer story. We want people to hear those success stories.” — Joel Vettel, Sanford Health

Inforum

• “Dad had it designed and he knew what he wanted and he got it done.” — Roger Maris Jr.

Inforum

The sources provide consistent figures for event count, participant numbers, and fundraising focus; no contradictory information was identified.

Inforum

Organizers are already planning the 2026 All-Star Week, with intentions to maintain the current mix of clinics, celebrity involvement, and fundraising activities while exploring additional community outreach opportunities.

Inforum