Basketball teams from Wayland Baptist University and Southwestern Assemblies of God University will be going head-to-head on the floor of Hutcherson Center on Thursday night, but at the same time they'll be joining forces in the fight against cancer.
Basketball teams from throughout the country – including Wayland's Pioneers and SAGU's Lions – are participating in Suits and Sneakers, a campaign to advance awareness of cancer and healthy living as well as raise money in the fight against cancer.
As they do their part, the Pioneers and Lions need your help.
The event is called Suits and Sneakers because more than 4,000 coaches throughout the weekend – including Wayland's
Matt Garnett and SAGU's Donnie Bostwick on Thursday – will be sporting sneakers, instead of dress shoes, with their suits during games.
Fans also are invited to swap their dress shoes for sneakers throughout the day on Thursday, and continue the fashion statement that evening at the game.
Following their game which begins at 6 p.m., members of the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens will be "passing the sneaker" to collect donations during halftime of the Pioneers' game, which gets under way at 8. All donations will be given to the American Cancer Society.
Also as part of the campaign, younger fans are asked to participate by coloring a paper sneaker and adding the name of a loved one who has been affected by cancer. (A copy of the sneaker is available
here. On Thursday, fans can bring their colored sneakers to display in the lobby of Hutcherson Center. Dozens of colorful sneakers – courtesy of local elementary students – will be on display.
Wearing sneakers is a simple act and an easy way to remind people about all the ways they can reduce their risk of cancer, like eating right, exercising, making healthy lifestyle choices, and following the American Cancer Society's recommended cancer screening guidelines.
Since 1993, coaches have raised more than $87 million for the American Cancer Society.
For more information on the event, go to cancer.org/suitsandsneakers.
