Win a Chance for a Bob Knight Beatdown, Support Cancer Research in the Process

This might be the worst fundraising idea ever. The only saving grace is that it's for a great cause, although the Dick Vitale Gala for Cancer Research organizers should consider taking out extra personal-injury insurance in case the way-too-obvious eventuality is realized:

As part of his yearly fundraiser for cancer research, Lakewood Ranch resident Dick Vitale is offering the opportunity for a round of golf with Bob Knight and John Havlicek on May 16 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club.

Bids for two threesomes will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Saturday for nine holes with each basketball legend.

Bids start at $10,000 and include 18 holes of golf in the morning, a pre-gala party and the third annual Dick Vitale Gala for Cancer Research that evening at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota.

I suppose nine holes is in everyone's best interest; if nothing else, it'll minimize the chances Knight wraps a putter around some guys head for a seemingly innocuous comment about chairs or something. To be fair, Knight has mellowed since retiring, although, as FanHouse's Chad Rich suggests (via Knight's cat, via MJD), that may have more to do with the mind-numbingly awful Digger Phelps and his highlighter.

So here's to hoping Doug Gottlieb is the high bidder. Not only would the money go to a worthy cause, but there's a better than 50 percent chance that Knight maims Gottlieb before the third hole. That's a win for cancer research and college basketball.

UPDATE: FanHouse reader Johnny leaves moving-pictures proof of what Gottlieb can expect. Which makes me think pay-per-view is the way to go.

Hat tip: Larry Brown Sports