Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a28394ca8ab92ad He died six months later. Gale Sayers/Cause of death. Piccolos story is told through a series of intertwined events that include love, friendship, and cancer. Exclusive analysis of biotech, pharma, and the life sciences. He was best known as a professional football (american) player. There, was a tumorous growth in his chest and three operations followed. Rub-a-Dub-Thon in a hot tub in front of Reynolda Hall? I'm divorcing Patti.' He wanted to lose people like John Carpenter . The unruly, inconsiderate crowd immediately quieted down. How optimistic should we be? In 1974, Lawrence Einhorn showed that three potent poisons, cisplatin + vinblastine + bleomycin, cured 60 percent of men with metastatic testicular cancer. He attended Wake Forest College, Winston Salem, N.C. and in his senior year there was voted an all American player. Brian Piccolo was a 26 year-old running back for the Chicago Bears in the fall of 1969 when he developed a cough and difficulty breathing. One suspects that Brian Piccolo knew he was dying, but his doctors lacked the courage to tell him so. He could block, run, and catch the football. But I tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolos birth sign is Scorpio and he had a ruling planet of Pluto. Its a touching and accurate portrayal of one of sports most famous friendships, and Brians Song is one of the most memorable in its history. A New School Year Begins At Woodcreek High School: Exciting Opportunities And Experiences Await! Although critics praised Brians Song for its frank description of cancer when the disease was rarely discussed publicly, the reality of Brian Piccolos illness and death was quite different than what was portrayed on the screen. His zodiac star sign was Scorpio. As of 2022, she is 79 years old. Piccolos second operation, the radical mastectomy, had been devastating both physically and emotionally. US Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick suffered strokes and died of natural causes one day after responding to the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, Washington DC's chief medical. Still, cancer patients and their families, working with their caregivers, should do everything possible to avoid the unfortunate choices that characterized Brian Piccolos final days. I love it that Wake Forest, and not just with this, honors its history. Brians Song emerged from an autobiography, I Am Third, by Piccolos teammate and star running back Gale Sayers, which was published soon after Piccolo died and contained a chapter on his relationship with Piccolo. The early recipients were Bears rookies who "best exemplify the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor . Please check your email for a confirmation. Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the award. Brian Keith, 75, dead in apparent suicide By Ray Richmond, Reuters Brian Keith, the burly, gruff film and TV performer who gained his greatest fame in the 1960s sitcom classic "Family. Brian was terribly disappointed in the National Football League draft. The Bears, however, took chance and signed him as a free agent for a modest bonus. Because his cancer was so rare, Piccolo sought treatment at New Yorks Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. April 20, 2021 / 7:11 AM / CBS News. The two men, both running backs, had been the first interracial roommates in the National Football League. They became close friends. Brian Piccolo was born in 1940s. 41 jerseys for Thursday's final mandatory minicamp . Ford credits the vision and energy of students who pass on the tradition to successive students. Piccolo lived in North Beverly and is known for improving race relations in the U.S. How he did live! Last season he was a part time player again until just be fore Thanksgiving when he was hospitalized for treatment of cough. Gale Sayers, the will-o'-the-wisp running back who in a short but . Piccolo was laid to rest in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park after a funeral service at Christ the King Catholic Church in Chicago. Whos the richest Football Player in the world? Morris completed the project shortly after Piccolo passed away, and "Brian Piccolo: A Short Season" was published in 1971. The Chicago Bears paid special tribute to Brian Piccolo on Thursday, as all 90 players wore No. Zodiac Sign: Brian Piccolo was a Scorpio. Future Wake Forest student Traci Piccolo was also present. He died at age 26 from embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, first diagnosed after it had spread to his chest cavity. We welcome your contributions so please create an account if you would like to collaborate with other editor's in helping to shape this website. Piccolos friendship with Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers was highlighted in the film Brians Song, which premiered on Nov. 30, 1971, starring Billy Dee Williams and James Caan. He'd had to fight through a lot of tough financial times including the Great Depression of the 1930s to keep the Bears alive. Reading Time: 3 mins read. Birthday: October 31, 1943 Date of Death: June 16, 1970 Age at Death: 26 Live Live Death Statistics Worldwide and The United States Brian Piccolo - Biography Capitol cop Brian Sicknick's cause of death still pending as officials detail how Trump rioters died. Because his doctors also found a nearby lymph node that was positive for cancer, Piccolo also underwent chemotherapy. Relatives of Brian Piccolo, the famed Chicago Bears player who died 50 years ago, enjoy their visit to North Beverly on June 16, the day of his death, when they participated in a parade organized by the Beverly Area Planning Association. But when they think of him, it's not how he died that they remember - but how he lived. Their interracial friendship was considered groundbreaking in American culture at the time in the late 1960s. 205 ratings27 reviews. After being diagnosed with cancer in 1971, Kopay decided to retire from the NFL. Brian Piccolo was born on 31 October 1943 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA. In 1969, Brian Piccolo was a 26-year-old fullback for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Piccolo died in excruciating pain. The 26 yearold athlete's death was at tributed to cancer. In 1996, 26 years later, 25-year-old Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his brain, lungs and liver. Sayers was voted an award as pro football's most courage ous athlete in 1969 for the manner in which he returned to action after a knee operation. It means a great deal to all of us. How hard should you push? He might have died of natural causes as there is no news of the actor falling ill or being in an accident recently. Brian carried the ball most of the time for his team and in 1960, the team had its best record ever, four games won and four games lost. The early 1940s were dominated by World War II. Fortunately, palliative care services have emerged to work with dying people and their families to establish treatment goals and provide symptomatic relief. Date Of Death: June 16, 1970 Cause Of Death: N/A Ethnicity: White Nationality: American Brian Piccolo was born on the 31st of October, 1943. . Coroner says Gabby Petito died from strangulation, death ruled a homicide. Piccolo was best known as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent the majority of his career from 1965-1970. Jeanne Morris, a writer and the wife of one of Piccolos teammates, was also chronicling Piccolos diagnosis and treatment, later published as a book, A Short Season. With the money that its raised for cancer research, its going to save somebodys life.. Piccolo was diagnosed with cancer in 1970 and died on June 16, 1970 at the age of 26. Louis Brian Piccolo (October 31, 1943 - June 16, 1970) was an American professional football player, a halfback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) for four years. The 26 yearold athlete's death was at tributed to. Piccolo was a well-known football player in his prime, having played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Bears. It is mine tonight. His death was caused by embryonal cell carcinoma, a very deadly disease that progressed to his chest cavity when he first became ill with testicular cancer, as well as an extreme version of germ cell testicular cancer. The series aired for the first time on ABC less than 18 months after his death in 1971. Things change, campus changes, whats important for people to focus on changes, but this is something that despite all those changes has lived on.. He is the one who knows about courage.. When times called for it though, he spent what he had to. Sending Out Veterans' Benefits, The Executive Branchs Response to the Flood of 1927, The Case For Calling the Language "American", America Fought Its Own Battle Over Books Before it Fought the Nazis. Brian Piccolo's Death - Cause and Date Oct 31, 1943 Death Date June 16, 1970 Age of Death 26 years Cause of Death Lung Cancer Profession Football Player The football player Brian Piccolo died at the age of 26. And physicians need to give honest answers. He chalked up 450 yards rushing in 1968 on 123 tries, and caught 28 passes for 291 yards. Once there, Brian gave up baseball for good and trained hard to become a very good football player. In 1967 he backed up superstar tailback Gale Sayers, gained 317 yards and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. We are still dealing with the challenging issues that Brian Piccolos illness and death raised: How hard should you push with aggressive cancer treatment, especially when the person is young and unlikely to survive? Biography - A Short Wiki 41 jerseys during their minicamp practice. By David K. Li. He was immortalized in Brians Song, the movie of his life that was first released in 1971 and remade in 2001. Piccolos surgeon was Edward Beattie, a former college football player and a Bears fan. This website does skew towards famous actors, musicians, models and sports stars, however we would like to expand that to include many other interesting topics. Touching on sports, race relations and early death, it became known as the movie men are allowed to cry at.. It is not permissible for Kidadl to accept liability for the execution of these ideas; parents should keep an eye on their children at all times. Morriss book was far more frank, a harbinger of greater openness about cancer to come over the succeeding decades. After college, Piccolo was drafted by the NFLs Chicago Bears. She received the Marcellus E. Waddill Excellence in Teaching Award for Wake Forest alumni in 2011. In June the tumor spread to his lower chest and liver and he died on June 16, 1970, at the age of 26. Cancer Diagnosis Humphrey and Dawkins were sure that a drive to raise money for cancer and honor Piccolo would be a success. He died from that disease in 1970. Students started Hit the Bricks in fall 2003 with strong support from the College Bookstore and director Donald Buz Moser. The third removed one of Piccolos lungs, although by that point, the odds on him surviving were essentially zero. A chest X-ray showed a tumor in his left lung. Piccolos story is inspiring, but the film as a whole isnt flawless. Piccolo is depicted in a 1971 television movie titled Brians Song, as well as a remake (of the same title) in 2001. The films portrayal of the friendship between the two characters was very accurate. In the Duke game, Brian carried the ball 36 times to help beat Duke, 20-7. Dawkins, who lives in Fayetteville, North Carolina, recently recalled the beginning of the Piccolo drive. When is Brian Piccolos birthday? Dawkins rallied support from fraternities, societies, the Interfraternity Council, Student Government and the College Union. His wife, Heather Barnes King (MA 97), is a high school math teacher. ), Dawkins wrote to supporters after the event: Mrs. At the same time, however, the film presented a sanitized version of Piccolos ordeal. One of the saddest aspects of Piccolos story is that his last months were largely miserable as his doctors kept treating him with toxic, but ultimately, futile, therapies. So it's only natural he was careful with his money. He died from that disease in 1970. [ UPDATE (Nov. 23, 2021, 3:15 p.m. With rumors swirling that fraternities might be kicked off campus, Sigma Pi Johnny Dawkins (81) wanted to show that fraternities could do some good and bring the Wake Forest community together. Brian Piccolo, a halfback for the Chicago Bears football team died here yesterday in Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases. Last year, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebacker Roquan Smith were the recipients of the award. There was a good level of enthusiasm because there were a lot of like-minded people in the fraternities who said, We should be doing something like this, said Camp, who lives in Tequesta, Florida. The concrete Quad sidewalks had just been replaced with brick, and Hit the Bricks for Brian (later shortened) was born. In an interview about the gesture also on the Bears website, Piccolos widow, Joy Piccolo OConnell, could not express enough happiness at honoring her late husband: It just blew me away, it really did, she said. What better way to do that than honor the memory of Wake Forests most famous football player, Brian Piccolo (65, P 87, 89), who had died a decade earlier, and raise awareness and money for cancer research? After moving up to the starting lineup, Gale Sayers took over as tailback in 1969, becoming the first fullback in the franchises history. Sayers, who was Black, and Piccolo, who was white, were the first interracial roommates on the Bears. He was so young to die with a fu ture that held so much for him.. Brian Piccolo is the subject of a film called Brians Song, which is based on his true story. He was a major supporter of the Special Olympics and raised millions of dollars for it. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Back on June 16 of 1970, a well-known running back on the Chicago Bears died at the young age of 26. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. He played for the Bears for three seasons before being diagnosed with cancer. No colleges were interested in a guy who was a mediocre running back for a mediocre high school team. On this date 52 years ago, former Bears running back Brian Piccolo died of embryonal cell carcinoma a rare testicular cancer. VIEWS. Almost four out of every ten men who are treated for the disease survive ten years later. And even as Piccolo was dying, doctors wheeled, poked, turned, punctured [and] manipulated him. The stands were loaded with prejudiced Wake Forest students, typical of southern universities at that time. He liked to play practical jokes on them and stuff like that. Sayers came back to lead the NFL in rushing with 1,032 yards and eight touchdowns. Piccolo has maintained his legacy as a franchise legend ever since doctors first discovered his terminal illness in November 1969, having fought it for several years. In February 1997, he was declared free of cancer and by January 1998, he renewed serious bicycle training and went on to become the most famous bicycle racer in the world. Caan looks the same at the beginning and the end of the movie, sporting a full head of curly hair. Dawkins, who serves on Duke Universitys Brain Tumor Program Board of Advisors, has his own family cancer stories. And when Piccolos wife Joy, played by Shelley Fabares, takes Piccolos hand shortly before he dies, Piccolo smiles and placidly says of his cancer, Whod believe it, Joy whod ever believe it?. Although the activities listed below are designed to be simple, they do not guarantee safety. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick suffered a stroke and died of natural causes, the medical examiner's office in Washington, D.C., said Monday, weighing in on a question that has lingered . How Many Online Classes Should High School Students Take? Joy Piccolo, widow of the Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, remarried in 1973 and goes by the name Joy Piccolo O'Connell. He was immortalized in "Brian's Song", the movie of his life that was first released in 1971 and remade in 2001. Brian Piccolo, Brian Piccolo ('65), Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund, Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, Brian's Song, Cancer Drive, Carl Tacy, Chicago Bears, Class of 1965, Class of 1981, Class of 2004, Class of 2005, Class of 2007, College Union, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dave Middleton, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Football, Fraternities, Gale Sayers, Greek Life, Hit the Bricks, Hit the Bricks for Brian, I Am Third, Interfraternity Council, Jillian MacDonald, John Humphrey, Johnny Dawkins, Joy Piccolo OConnell, Kerry King, Kerry King (85), Kerry M. King, Kerry M. King ('85), Lori Piccolo, Matt Hammer, Meghan Claffey Cline, Meredith Claffey, Mike Ford, Mike Ford ('72), Philanthropy, Piccolo Drive, Piccolo Fund, Pro Humanitate, Richard Chalk, Sigma Pi, Sigma Pi Fraternity, Societies, Sororities, Student Government, Traci Piccolo, Trip Chalk, Wake 'n Shake, WFU Class of 1981. Two weeks later, doctors took out the rest of Piccolos diseased lung, but during the operation found more cancer they could not remove. In reality, less than five percent of patients with Piccolos cancer lived five years. Ah, he was a tough one, said George Halas Sr., the long time owner of the Bears. He was the subject of the 1971 TV movie Brian's Song, with a remake (of the same title) TV movie filmed in 2001 . Discover what happened on this day. Piccolo's father died in 1986. He died at age 26 in June 1970. Piccolo played for the Bears for a total of 17 seasons, from 1971 to 1973. Brians Song, which is loosely based on Sayers autobiography, has been nominated for three Academy Awards. Beattie told Piccolo that the first operation had been a success and, soon thereafter, Piccolo was telling friends that he was cured of cancer. Joy Piccolo O'Connell has seemingly lived two lives. Joy and Brian had three daughters, who ranged from 1 1/2 to 4 years of age when their father died. Joy Murrath is popular as the wife of Brian Piccolo. 1 of 3. Brian Piccolo died on June 16, 1970, at the age of 26, from embryonal cell carcinoma, a rare form of germ cell testicular cancer. 41, football, humorous, upbeat, young, brief, cancer, and 26. Piccolos final words to Joy were, Can you believe it, Joy? Can you believe this s***? By the early 2000s, the number of events was proving too much for fraternities and sororities to organize and for the community to support. The greatest overall compatibility with Scorpio is Taurus and Cancer. Do something for others thats meaningful. He died at age 26 in June 1970. The first Wake 'N Shake dance marathon in Reynolds Gym in 2006. Brians Song, which aired November 30, 1971, was an instant hit, becoming the fourth most-watched made for television movie at the time. Louis was 26 years old at the time of death. Palliative care may even extend life. He was hurt and did not make the team in his first season of 1965, but became a squad member the next year. She expressed a hope that a project of this nature would continue year after year. Senior Editor Kerry M. King (85) got his start writing about Wake Forest as sports editor and editor of the Old Gold & Black. At 4 years, I was the oldest. Her friend, Morris reported, felt very frustrated and extremely mutilated. Toward the end of his illness, Piccolo, feeling simply drained of everything, rarely left his home. Dolby was the first family member to. As highlighted in Brians Song, Sayers gave a heartfelt speech just three weeks before Piccolos death to accept the George S. Halas Award as the NFLs most courageous player. He died on June 16 at the age of 26. Louis Brian Piccolo (October 31, 1943 June 16, 1970) was an American professional football player, a running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) for four years. The diagnosis was grim: a grapefruit-sized, highly. Piccolo was well-known for his humanitarian work despite his success on the field. It turns out the actual story of what happened to Piccolo is even more instructive, and especially relevant for modern cancer patients and health professionals struggling to balance hope and reality. But nothing helped. Brian Piccolo removed himself from a game against the. In receiving the award at banquet here on May 25, Sayers said, Brian is the one who should get this award. You flatter me by giving me this award, Sayers said. On this day 52 years ago we lost Brian Piccolo. 1 pick, 2023 NFL draft: Breaking down the top prospects for Bears, 5 wide receivers to watch for Bears at NFL Scouting Combine, Full 7-round Bears 2023 mock draft: Pre-NFL Scouting Combine, Bears 2023 free agency profile: DT Javon Hargrave, What potential Bears trade partners for No. Piccolo was an . The difference between life and death in testicular cancer is a doctor named Larry Einhorn who, in 1974, developed the life-saving medical treatment for testicular cancer, increasing the survival rate from less than 10 percent to almost 100 percent today (Cancer Clin Trials 1980;3:307-13). pic.twitter.com/OFLIfKAJoJ, Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 16, 2022. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Its been a joy seeing so many people rally around Pro Humanitate and the remarkable story of Brian Piccolo to face and fight cancer as they connect with their own family (cancer) stories.. Actor James Caan, whose early-career role includes playing Bears running back Brian Piccolo in Brian's Song, has died.He was 82. He left a wife and three daughters. So, I wanted to make sure they got that message.. In his final college game, he scored three touchdowns to lead Wake Forest to a 27 to 13 victory to deprive North Carolina State of the ACC championship and give Wake Forest its best season in years, with five wins and five losses. The first Brian Piccolo Fund Drive T-shirt, 1980. The two men were deeply in love with one another, and the close friendship that they shared helped them through some difficult times. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. He was previously married to Joy Murrath. Last spring, 1,360 students participated and raised nearly $311,000. He led the nation in rushing with 1,044 yards on 252 carries and the ACC in scoring with 111 points on 17 touchdowns and nine extra points. He was named the Player of the Year as a member of the Wake Forest football team. This still happens. Before the Bears actually conducted their practice, Matt Eberflus spoke about Piccolos place in team history and why the organization wanted to honor him once more. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Remarkable advances have been made in cancer care since Brian Piccolo died but thousands of people including young people still die from the disease each year. He was 26. Jun 23, 2020. 3.95. Piccolo stepped into the regular halfback slot for the last five games, carried the ball 76 times for 269 yards and caught 15 passes for 155 yards. Former NFL running back who died at the age of 26 with embryonal cell carcinoma; became the subject of the 1971 TV movie Brians Song. Astrologers and astronomers could only work with planets visible to the eye. The year before, he and several fraternity brothers kidnapped mens basketball Coach Carl Tacy (P 82) a stunt completely out of character for the stoic Tacy and held him for ransom to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Unfortunately, that was wishful thinking. Brian Piccolo was born on October 31, 1943 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA. Brian Piccolo (41) of the Chicago Bears being stopped by Karl Kassulke (29) of the Minnesota Vikings two seasons before Piccolo was diagnosed with cancer. Following the end of the war, it was the start of the Baby Boomer years and technology advancements such as the jet engine, nuclear fusion, radar, rocket technology and others later became the starting points for Space Exploration and Improved Air Travel. Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. (After the first year, all money raised has gone to the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. 41 jersey during practice: On this day 52 years ago we lost Brian Piccolo. Since Sayers who is black and Piccolo who was white were both running backs, they became the first white and black players to room together in the NFL. Long before Hit the Bricks and Wake N Shake became campus traditions, the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund Drive started modestly in the fall of 1980. What better way to do that than honor the memory of Wake Forest's most famous football player, Brian Piccolo ('65, P '87, '89), who had died a decade earlier, and raise awareness and money for cancer research? Brian Piccolo was born on October 31, 1942 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The acting, featuring James Caan as the upbeat Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams playing the introverted Sayers, was terrific. On December 25, he was getting married and a bear carved in ice appeared at the reception table. Survivors include his widow, Joy, and three daughters. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. Sayers passed away in September 2020. Here is all you want to know, and more! More than 96 percent of men treated for the disease today are still alive after 10 years (Ann Oncol, 2013 Feb;24(2):508-13). In 1969, Brian Piccolo was a 26-year-old fullback for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Fifty-two years after his tragic passing, Brian Piccolo's legacy is still being celebrated by the Chicago Bears. His best sport was baseball, but he also played football. And when does too much optimism become a bad thing? (CHICAGO TRIBUNE) "In Beverly, this was their dream. Louis Brian Piccolo (October 31, 1943 - June 16, 1970) was a professional football player for the Chicago Bears for four years. Fifty years ago on May 25, 1970, Gale Sayers accepted the George S. Halas Award at a dinner in New York City. In four decades, students have raised more than $5.2 million, including $584,000 last year, for the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. If the cancer is localized to the testicle, the five-year survival is better than 99 percent. Brian Piccolo was a Scorpio and was born in the Baby Boomers Generation. In the fall of 1969, he developed a severe cough and shortness of breath. The film itself was also emotional. This page is the FamousFix profile for Brian Piccolo. He was a star running back for the Wake Forest University football team, and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 1965 NFL Draft. Just a real man and a real person and a Chicago Bear. People of this zodiac sign like truth, being right, longtime friends, teasing, and dislike dishonesty, revealing secrets, passive people. Editors note: This article was updated to correct the name of the actress who played Brian Piccolos wife, Joy, in Brians Song.. Ruling Planet: Brian Piccolo had a ruling planet of Pluto and has a ruling planet of Pluto. His best season came in 1968, when he ran for 450 yards on 123 carries (a 3.8 average) and won the Biletnikoff Award for the most yards. This latest heartwarming tribute seems to be another in a long line of remembrance for a team luminary. The Chicago Bears attempted to challenge this disgusting behavior by having players room with each other by position only and not by race. Her husband Brian died at age 26 from embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, first diagnosed after it had spread to his chest cavity. "He says, 'I am making changes. His full name at birth was Louis Brian Piccolo. Last fall, 1,693 runners and walkers raised more than $202,000. Brian Piccolo walked over to the University of Maryland team bench, put his arm around Hill and walked with him before the Wake Forest student section. Louis Brian Piccolo, who was born in Pittsfield, Mass., subse quently moved to Florida, where he graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale. In 1961, his freshman year, he averaged 4.2 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns for a team that lost all its games. October 8, 2021. in Americas. Piccolo was a two-time Pro Bowler and a member of the NFL All-Decade Team in the 1960s during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Under co-chairs Richard Trip Chalk (05) and Meghan Claffey Cline (04), students raised about $4,000. Piccolo's friendship with Hall of Fame .