Community helping former high school coach, hero battling cancer

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A great coach can be defined as someone who knows how to win, even in the face of adversity.  
With that said, you have to look at Mike Saylor. The long time basketball coach fits plenty of the qualities of greatness.

He's coached basketball greats like Jake Odum and Maynard Lewis. Under his leadership the Terre Haute South Braves have made it to the final four in the state and have won a number of sectional championships.  

However, he recently undertook a different type of opponent.  

"Well, I have a serious cancer, and I am going to battle it, but I'm not alone," Saylor said.

Saylor is suffering from a form of melanoma.  He's not wanting sympathy, but he's resting on his faith.
"I've got a tremendous amount of people praying for me, and I'm a Christian; and I believe in the power of prayer," Saylor said.

Meanwhile, his friends are doing anything they can to help. Long time friend, Mike Ellis started the Mike Saylor Benefit Fund.   

"We all know how underpaid the coaches and teaching staff are in our community, and so he needs some financial help," Ellis said.

There's a Facebook group, and a website meant to help raise funds. So far the response has been pretty overwhelming. The coach didn't ask for any of it, but he's grateful.

"It's kind of been unbelievable how many people have been praying for me, and I'm forever in debt to all those people," Saylor said.

While he's retired from the court, you get the feeling the coach hasn't lost his touch. You can bet he plans on winning, even against his trickiest foe yet.    

If you'd like to donate to the Mike Saylor Benefit Fund, you can visit their website , Facebook page , or go to any First Financial Bank location.