Mike Rice will rappel down 470-foot building for good cause

The fight against cancer has already taken Mike Rice to the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.

Now it will also bring the Rutgers coach to the top of a New Jersey skyscraper.

Rice will rappel down the exterior of a 50-story building in Jersey City on Sept. 28 as part of the American Cancer Society's "Over the Edge" event. The building Rice chose is the 470-foot Harborside Financial Center Plaza 5, which will take about 20-30 minutes to descend unaccompanied.

"Cancer touches everyone," Rice said in a statement released by the school. "In my time working with Coaches versus Cancer, I have been inspired by many wonderful people fighting this terrible disease. As such, I have said that I would do anything in the fight against cancer. Put up or shut up. I'm putting up. Up high, actually."

Descending down a building is the most high-risk way Rice has raised money for cancer research and prevention, but it's certainly not the first time he has contributed to the cause.

Rice is heavily involved in Coaches vs. Cancer and hosts an annual dinner at Rutgers each November to raise awareness and funds. In March, he was named to the NABC Coaches vs. Cancer National Council. Last week, he attended the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Leadership Summit and Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., and was part of a rally at the Capitol Building to underscore the need for greater funding for cancer research.

So far "Over the Edge" had generated $232,000 for the cause. Any money donated in support of Rice will go to the American Cancer Society.