NOVUS Teams up with ACS to Spike Out Cancer

Pictured left to right: Nick Bernardo, Scott Klimchak, and Garrett Bernardo at the CAT 10 in August of 2019.

The CAT is back! After an unprecedented year that saw the postponement of the annual volleyball tournament held by NOVUS Clothing Company in Glenmont, the eleventh annual CAT Volleyball Tournament will be held on September 14 starting at 5 p.m. The tournament will be hosted at its usual location, 82 Cambridge Drive, also known as the Colonial Coliseum by tournament goers, and will feature a DJ, announcing by Chris Onorato of News Channel 13, refreshments, and custom NOVUS tanks.

“We have 16 teams; a mix of high school-aged teams, corporate businesses, and the Legends, our dad’s team that is a staple at the tournament,” Garrett Bernardo said. “All the teams will be outfitted in our lax pinnie tanks and performance tees with a nice tie-dye, acid-washed patterns with different colorways.”

The CAT began in the summer of 2010 when then high schoolers Nick and Garrett Bernardo, along with best friend Alex Martin, wanted to get friends together and host an eight-team volleyball tournament in their backyard. The event has since grown and is now hosted by NOVUS Clothing Company and is sponsored by local businesses, bringing new faces to the Colonial Acres neighborhood each year.

“The CAT idea started after Nick’s high school graduation party,” Garrett said. “We had set up a volleyball net on our basketball court and played all night long. We were sitting on our brick wall with our buddies late at night and said, ‘Let’s start a tournament!’”

A team volleys during a game at the CAT 10 in August 2019.

While the original intent of the tournament was to bring together family and friends for some fun, the Bernardo brothers wanted to use their business and connections to make a positive impact through the event.

“As NOVUS has grown over the years, we realized we could use our business platform to make an impact on others while having fun,” Nick Bernardo said. “A few years ago, both our Aunt Karis and business partner Scott Klimchak’s mother, Kathy Klimchak, were diagnosed with cancer and fought very courageous battles before passing away.”

In years past, the tournament has partnered with the Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, paying homage to the Bernardo brother’s Aunt Karis who received treatment through the organizations. This year, the CAT is being put on in partnership with the American Cancer Society.

“The American Cancer Society is right here in our own backyard and their Vice President, Anthony Marino, has been a tremendous supporter and has helped us grow NOVUS from the start,” Garrett said. 

CAT 11 jerseys for the tournament being held September 14, 2021.

Due to the pandemic, the CAT tournament was not held last year, a decision that was difficult but necessary for the brothers to make. This year, with restrictions loosening and events across the capital region being held again, the tournament is back but precautions will be taken to ensure the health and safety of all that attend. 

“Our sister, Tori, alongside her fellow nurses from Albany Med, will be in a tent to have all who attend the CAT sign waivers and take temperatures,” the brothers said. “Sanitizer stations will be scattered throughout the grounds as well!”

The brothers hope to provide a fun and memorable experience for attendees while also raising money to help “spike out” cancer.

“We want to have a ton of fun, create amazing memories with friends and family, and raise a ton of support for those that have battled and are currently battling cancer,” Garrett said. “As always, there will be epic volleys, great tunes, emcees, and delicious food!”