Ryan Brown’s goal for his Celebrities for a Cause event was to strike out cancer. Between the softball games, golf tournament and other festivities, the Cody recreation director raised between $50,000 and $60,000 for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Big Horn Basin Cancer Treatment Center.

After more than a year’s preparation for the weekend, Brown couldn’t be more pleased with how it went. 

“It was awesome,” he said. “It was better than I thought it would be.”

Celebrities who participated in the weekend’s activities ranged from professional athletes, television stars, musical artists and more. Some of the biggest names included retired NFL star Chris Cooley, television host Coyote Peterson and former Colorado Rockies pitcher Mike Hampton. 

In addition to playing in the softball and golf tournaments, some of the former athlete celebrities hosted sport clinics — including former MLB players John Rocker, Jeff Frye, Otis Nixon and Donell Nixon and former NBA player Jumaine Jones; Brown described the clinics as “awesome.”

“I’m so thankful for all the celebrities that attended,” he said. “I’m especially thankful for everyone who helped me put this on. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Some of the event’s participants, such as bat boy Toby Ahlstrand of Powell, were cancer survivors. Not only was it memorable for Brown to lure in big names for the weekend, it was just as meaningful for him to invite those who have been tangibly affected by cancer.

“I think it’s awesome,” Brown said. “It’s a good experience for those kids and it’s special for them.”

He considered the event a success in every way — but he’s not done raising money to put cancer in a pickle.

“I can’t wait to do it again next year!” he said.