Jan. 24, 2012

WASHINGTON - Part of the full slate of college basketball on the docket for this weekend is the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers awareness event, a collaborative initiative of the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

Georgetown coaches and other participating NABC members will wear sneakers instead of dress shoes during weekend games to demonstrate their support for the American Cancer Society and its vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays. The Hoyas play at Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Petersen Events Center. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m.

Fans may support this cause by texting COACH to 20222 from any wireless phone to make a $5 donation toward Coaches vs. Cancer. For more information, visit the Coaches vs. Cancer Facebook page at facebook.com/coachesvscancer.

This year, Coaches vs. Cancer will also launch a new promotion, "National Sneakers Day," on Friday, Jan. 27, to kick off Suits and Sneakers weekend. Similarly to coaches wearing sneakers on the sidelines, the American Cancer Society asks fans to wear their favorite sneakers to work in support of the cause.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of coaches and fans from across the country, Coaches vs. Cancer participants have raised more than $70 million since 1993 to help the American Cancer Society fund groundbreaking research, provide up-to-date cancer information and education, advocate for public health policies and deliver services that improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

Additional information is available at coachesvscancer.org.