Fans Encouraged to Wear Suits & Sneakers for Men's Basketball Game Wednesday

  PSU
  Sunday, January 22, 2012 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

PITTSBURG, Kan. -- All fans are encouraged to wear dress clothes (suits, slacks, skirts or dresses) along with their favorite tennis shoes as the Gorilla men take on Truman at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25 in John Lance Arena.

The annual Coach vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers awareness weekend, a collaborative initiative of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society is slated for this weekend, January 27-29, However, since the Gorillas do not have a home game this weekend, the Pitt State coaches will be wearing suits and sneakers for Wednesday night’s matchup against Truman. Head coach Kevin Muff and assistants Ryan Stock, Matt Brock and Matt Ayers invite fans to take part in this cancer awareness initiative as well.

Fans may support this cause by texting COACH to 20222 from any wireless phone to make a $5.00 donation toward Coaches vs. Cancer and help in the search for a cure. For more information, visit the Coaches vs. Cancer Facebook page, facebook.com/coachesvscancer.

This year, Coaches vs. Cancer will also launch a new promotion, "National Sneakers Day", on Friday, January 27, to kick off Suits and Sneakers Weekend. Similarly to coaches wearing sneakers on the sidelines, we ask you to wear your favorite sneakers to work in support of Coaches vs. Cancer and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

By lacing up sneakers with their suits, participating coaches and fans nationwide are spotlighting the fact that while cancer remains a major health concern, everyone can take daily steps to reduce their risk of the disease. For those who do not smoke, weight control, regular exercise and a healthy diet are the best ways to improve health and reduce cancer risk.

“The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a vital, year-round link between the American Cancer Society and the NABC that empowers basketball coaches, their teams and communities to join the fight against cancer,” said Jim Satalin, director of the Coaches vs. Caner program with the Society. “The program draws from the personal experiences, community leadership and the professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase public awareness of the Society’s mission to save lives and prevent cancer, and to raise funds to fight the disease on a variety of fronts.”

In addition to Coach Muff, other active participants who support the Society through the Coaches vs. Cancer program are some of the nation’s top coaches – five of whom have won NCAA championships (dates noted), including Mike Krzyzewski (Duke 1991, ’92, 2001); Jim Calhoun (Connecticut ‘99’04’11); Jim Boeheim (Syracuse ’03); Roy Williams (North Carolina ’05); Tubby Smith (Minnesota, but won title at Kentucky ’98); Mike Brey (Notre Dame); Mark Few (Gonzaga); Phil Martelli (Saint Jospeh’s), Fran Dunphy (Temple) and Mark Gottfried (North Carolina State).

The Pitt State coaches along with Central Missouri head coach Kim Anderson and his staff will also be taking part in the nationwide Suits & Sneakers Weekend on Saturday in Warrensburg.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of college and high school coaches across the country, Coaches vs. Cancer participants have raised nearly $70 million since 1993 to help the Society save lives by educating and empowering people to avoid cancer or find it early, helping people facing cancer make decisions and overcome obstacles in their personal fight investing in research that yields groundbreaking discoveries into cancer’s causes and cures and helping pass laws that fight cancer and keep our communities healthy.