Eric Montross Father’s Day Basketball Camp	Montross Photo Gallery

To truly appreciate this event is to know its history. In the fall of 1993, Eric befriended a young man, Jason Clark, who was battling cancer at the N.C. Children’s Hospital.  The initial visits Eric made as a UNC basketball player soon evolved into weekly visits from a true friend.  Sadly, Jason lost his battle with cancer after a 9-month fight.

“Jason saw more, learned more and experienced more in a hospital than anyone should,” said Eric Montross.  “I am glad I had the opportunity to meet and become friends with Jason Clark.  He taught me what is important and that every morning is an invitation to make that day a special one.  He is still the real hero among us.”

Shortly before his death, Jason Clark was asked what the new children’s hospital should have to make it more “child-friendly.”  He wrote three pages.  As a tribute to Jason, his family and friends established the Jason Clark Memorial Fund to make Jason’s dreams a reality. 

Along with his wife Laura, Eric Montross started the Father’s Day Basketball Camp as a tribute to Jason and to help carry out his wishes for the new hospital.  The camp is used to celebrate the many gifts Jason so courageously gave us all.  A scholarship program has been established for children needing additional resources.

For Future Camp Participants:

The 2007 Eric Montross Father’s Day Basketball Camp has reached its full enrollment.  Over the past few years we have instituted a waitlist for new campers when our numbers exceed what a successful camp can support.  It is our goal to provide all of our participants with the most enjoyable experience possible.  Part of this experience is providing individualized attention in a family-friendly and safe environment.  To accept participants beyond our capacity would detract from the camp experience and potentially jeopardize the controlled and manageable environment that we have worked so diligently to achieve.

The growing interest in our camp does let us know that we are meeting expectations.  Of that, we are proud.  It also reflects a commitment far more significant than basketball or a camp. It reflects our community’s commitment to supporting the N.C. Children’s Hospital and the 50,000 children we treat every year.

We want to assure you that we have and will continue to explore all options to help remedy this situation.  In the interim, if you would like to place your child’s name on the waitlist then please contact Amanda McGovern at (919) 843-2915 or at Amanda_McGovern@med.unc.edu. We greatly appreciate your understanding and we thank you for your interest in attending camp.    

For more information on the lasting impact camp has made within North Carolina Children's Hospital, or to learn more about how you can help, please click here.

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