A Legacy on the Green
Under clear June skies at NCR Country Club in Kettering, Ohio, more than 200 golfers came together for more than just birdies and bogeys. The Seventh Annual Joel Cornette Foundation Golf Outing, held on Monday, June 23, proved to be a powerhouse of purpose—driving awareness, action, and critical funding for cardiac health initiatives that directly impact athletes across the country.
Now in its seventh year, the outing has become a cornerstone event for the Joel Cornette Foundation, honoring the legacy of Joel Cornette—a former Butler University basketball star whose sudden passing from a heart attack at age 35 stunned the sports world. In response, his family turned tragedy into movement, launching a foundation that has become a national force for education, advocacy, and research surrounding cardiac conditions in athletes.
This year’s event continued that momentum, raising significant funds to support the Foundation’s partnership with the American Heart Association. Proceeds benefit cutting-edge programs such as the Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes, the Nation of Lifesavers campaign, and the development of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in youth sports leagues across the country.
The outing drew an impressive lineup of participants that included a blend of sports icons, national media personalities, and celebrities from across the entertainment spectrum. Among the attendees: NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger, former Ohio State and NFL players Cardale Jones and Bobby Carpenter, CBS Sports’ Jenny Dell, ESPN’s Dalen Cuff, and NBC/ESPN power couple Jordan and Shae Cornette. Bravo reality stars Austen Kroll, Shep Rose, and Carl Radke also lent their support, teeing off for a cause that hits close to the heart—literally.
After 18 holes of spirited competition, guests gathered for a celebratory dinner and a candid Q&A session with Roethlisberger, offering heartfelt stories, laughs, and a shared sense of urgency for the Foundation’s mission.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support at this year’s event,” said Christi Cornette. “Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and attendees, the event was a tremendous success and will significantly advance the mission of the Joel Cornette Foundation. We’re proud of the impact this support will have on our ongoing efforts in education, awareness, and research to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in athletes.”
The Foundation’s approach is built around three key pillars: education, awareness, and research. These efforts have already created ripple effects far beyond the golf course. With support from this outing and other generous partners, the Foundation has helped fund the National Youth Sports Summit and championed the rollout of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans for leagues nationwide. It also remains the lead funder for pioneering research on athletes’ hearts—expanding into adolescent studies for earlier detection of risk factors.
Joel Cornette’s story continues to inspire—not just at Butler, where his legacy is cemented in Sweet 16 history, but across the country, where his foundation is helping change the future of sports medicine and athlete safety.
The outing at NCR wasn’t just a day of golf. It was a powerful reminder of how one person’s story—when amplified with purpose—can drive systemic change. With every swing, every donation, and every conversation, the Joel Cornette Foundation is bringing us closer to a world where no athlete is lost to a preventable cardiac event.
To learn more about the Foundation or to support its mission, visit joelcornettefoundation.org.