Play4TK is such a fun way to stay competing throughout the march madness tournament! It’s even better knowing that the money raised goes to cancer research, a disease that has affected everyone. Checking the bracket becomes another form of social media for me. I look forward to it every year!

I played for Coach K in LZ Hoops as a 5th grader, being the youngest on the team with the rest being 6th graders who I didn’t know all that well. Coach K from the jump made it a tight knit group and gave me the confidence that I was supposed to be playing up for a reason. His son Tommy is one of my closest friends to this day. Quick story - I remember one time we were playing at Kits, it was a close game, I get fouled and had two free throws. A timeout is called before and in the huddle, Coach K said without hesitation to the team, ‘Jeff’s gonna knock these two free throws and then we’re gonna get a stop on defense.’ Mind you, I wasn’t great at free throws at that age, but Coach K always instilled the confidence you needed and wanted to hear. Surely enough, I made both free throws, and we get the stop we needed. That was the only season I directly played for Coach K, but throughout middle school and high school, he’d check in and see how I’m doing and would always end by saying ‘keep shooting Z.’ His impact on the community went beyond coaching. Miss you Coach, K!

Being part of Play4TK March Madness bracket challenge has become far more than just filling out predictions each spring. What started as a tribute to Tom Kowalski has grown into a powerful community of friends and strangers united by basketball and a shared commitment to fighting cancer. My bracket victory in 2021 wasn't about the win itself, but a meaningful moment that connected me to the larger purpose behind this tradition: to remember those we've lost, support those still fighting, and hopefully contribute to a future where fewer families face this terrible disease. The Play4TK team has created something truly special, transforming personal grief into collective action, and I'm proud to participate every year in honor of Tom Kowalski and all those affected by cancer.

Gone too soon at the age of 52. Tom showed such vigilance during his five and a half year battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was an advocate for others suffering from MM and traveled the US sharing his cancer journey in hopes he could help just 1 person. He was an amazing dad and husband! Although he is physically gone, his spirit is still present in everything we do! ❤️

Play4TK is an incredible way to compete in a March Madness tournament with friends while also supporting cancer research. I look forward to it every single year. I won the tournament a few years ago (#ballknower), and it was a blast not only beating out my friends but also knowing that my entry was helping a great cause! The competition makes every game more exciting, and the fact that it raises money for cancer research makes it even more meaningful. Whether you’re in it to win or just for the fun of filling out a bracket, Play4TK is a great way to enjoy March Madness while making a difference!

Play4TK is an exciting and impactful way to support a worthy cause and join the fight against cancer. It’s so important to get involved. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Tom was a foundational figure in the establishment of the field of Player Development in professional sports. He led the establishment of the NFL's Education Program in the mid-1990's and it was in that role that I got to know him, first as a boss and then later as a close friend/mentor. Educational programming is now a standard offering in all of professional sports and he is still referenced by colleagues in the business for all his contributions over the years. Tom was a gentle and kind person. He had the ability to get the best out of everyone through empowering and supporting them, always lighting up a room or disarming tension with that big smile. His passing from multiple myeloma was a loss for the world. I could not be more proud of his kids having raised so much money to help others inflicted with this disease in honor of their dad. Let's all continue to honor his legacy in how we live and through this annual fundraiser. Spread the word and never forget our friend Tom.

Tom Kowalski was an incredible coach and had such a meaningful impact on my life and many others growing up in Lake Zurich, Illinois. It’s special to participate in a great cause in memory of a great man. Let’s #PlayforTK this March!

I feel extremely fortunate to have had Mr. K as a basketball coach for 5+ years. He had a unique ability to bring out the best in people, and impacted a tremendous amount of lives through his leadership in the LZ youth sports community. At a young age, Mr. K taught me the importance of maintaining a positive attitude when the going gets tough, and to never let life’s challenges get in the way of pursuing what you love to do. The Play4TK bracket is my favorite March Madness pool because it is a way for me (and many, many others) to pay tribute to a man who had a profound impact on my life in a short amount of time.

Every year this tournament and Play4TK bracket competition brings back fond memories of an all around great person. Mr. Kowalski was a huge role model for me growing up. When my own Father passed away he stepped up in many ways; taking me to and from practices, giving advice as a coach, and giving me guidance like one would for their own son. The amount of people who still participate in this competition so many years later is a testament to how great and loved Tom was as a person and the family/relationships he built while he was here. I am proud every year at the size of the donation that’s able to be made in his name to the cancer foundation and will continue to support the cause as long as the contest runs!

It's awesome how much this has taken off. The Play4TK team has done a great job promoting it. Tom and I met through our sons back behind the fields at Sarah Adams Elementary in Lake Zurich. We basically became best friends as our kids grew up and went through high school. Tom was one of the nicest guys I'd ever met and had a great personality. He was like a big brother to me. He was also a great father raising his kids, Tommy, Alli and Drew. Everyone who knew him knew how special he was. We all miss him a lot. Keep telling your friends about this and good luck with your picks!

TK was one of the kindest and most admirable people I’ve ever known. He played a big role in shaping my lifelong love of basketball, not only as a great coach from a young age but also as a role model for me and so many of my teammates and friends. I think about him often, and every March, play4tk is a perfect way to celebrate his memory and the impact he had on all of us.

Mr. Kowalski was a great coach and an even better person. He was loved by everyone in the community and I know he would be proud of his family for starting the play4TK bracket pool. I have entered multiple brackets into this pool every year, because I know the donation is for a great cause, and I have the chance to win big!

Participating in Play4TK's March Madness bracket pool is always a slam dunk. It's a fun way to support an amazing cause!