The Jimmy V Classic has always been very special to me. As a member of the board of directors for the V Foundation, I've had the opportunity to spread the word about the job being done by the foundation to raise money for cancer research.

It was also special because, up to this point, I would be working with my buddy, the late John Saunders. He had such a love for the Jimmy V Classic. Last year he worked the game as the play-by-play announcer. He often hosted halftime and between-the-game segments.

We shared stories about the game and Jimmy Valvano's life. Let me tell you how close Jimmy V and John Saunders were. John named his daughter Jenna after him, using the same initials. Jenna Tianna Vanessa named after James Thomas Valvano.

John developed such a special relationship with Jimmy when they worked together in the studio at ESPN. They often talked about their families and how much they meant to each other. There was so much passion, and that is what John displayed as he worked so hard to help the V Foundation. He was dedicated and worked so diligently for his buddy's cause.

Every year, John Saunders served as the emcee at my gala, which raises money for the V Foundation. I saw him interact with so many youngsters who were battling cancer. John had a love for people. He was as special as it gets.

Everyone knew his talent as a broadcaster, whether it was on SportsCenter, hosting The Sports Reporters, calling a game, hosting college football or basketball studio shows. He was Mr. Versatility with the ability to communicate so well with people.

John was a warm, caring guy, a loving husband and father whose family meant everything to him. He lived his life in a proper way.

I can think about so many things about him that were so special to me. I get really emotional when I think about the fact that John is not with us anymore. He was there for me back in 2008 when I thought I had throat cancer. I had the scare of my life.

I was getting ready for surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. I had to go through the presurgery rituals around 6:30 a.m. I was getting prepared when I walked in the room and sitting there was John Saunders, along with Sandy Montag (then with IMG). I could not believe it.

I was shocked beyond belief. I get emotional just thinking about what that meant to me for John to show up.

He said that he couldn't let me go in without wishing me luck.

John and I set up a way to communicate how the surgery went. I carried around a card with a picture of St. Jude on it. I was squeezing it, praying. I told him that if the surgery was successful, he should give me a thumbs-up. If the news was not good, do nothing.

When I came out of surgery and through the anesthesia before I snapped out of it, there was John Saunders. He gave me thumbs-up and I gave him a big hug.

John was always there for me.

Last April, when I was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, John Saunders presented me. His words were so special, and the fact that he was there meant the world to me.

John was as good as it gets. Whenever I called him for a favor, he was right there.

Oh, is he missed. He will never be forgotten.

If you enjoyed watching John on ESPN, saw him on SportsCenter or calling a game, you will remember him. You can help by joining us and making a donation to the John Saunders Research Grant for Cancer Research. I am proud to say to all of the supporters out there who were touched by John, we have raised more than $100,000. That figure has been increased to more than $200,000 thanks to ESPN and John Skipper. That grant will be presented at my gala this year.

John would be thrilled that those dollars will go to help kids battling cancer, so please make a donation.

I will never forget Aug. 10, 2016. I got the phone call from ESPN's Josh Krulewitz. We knew that John had some health problems in the past, but I was stunned beyond belief. We had no idea that he would pass so prematurely.

He seemed so excited about life the last time I talked to him.

Life is so short. Enjoy every moment.

Don't forget about John Saunders when you watch Purdue and Arizona State and Duke against Florida at the Jimmy V Classic. He was a prime time player in the biggest game of all, the game of life.