Public Invited to Attend 10th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Event on Wednesday Night in Historic Gymnasium

Men’s and women’s basketball will take on both Blackburn College and cancer during back-to-back Coaches vs. Cancer games on Wednesday, Feb. 5 in Westminster’s Historic Gymnasium. Tipoff for the women’s game is at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets for the general public to the annual event are $5, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

During halftime of the women’s game, the Blue Jays will join together in holding up signs displaying the names of individuals or organizations involved in the fight against cancer, followed by a moment of silence.

For their part, coaches will wear suits and sneakers to the event in keeping with a yearly tradition that is recognized by coaches across the country.

The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) have recognized the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative since 1993. The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) began participating, in cooperation with the American Cancer Society, in 2015.

Organized at Westminster by the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, this year’s Coaches vs. Cancer event will also include a halftime free-throw contest for students.

Senior Annette Ramirez, president of Westminster’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), says that Coaches vs. Cancer is meaningful for her committee because the event touches so many lives.

“We encourage students to join in by wearing their sneakers as well, standing together for a greater purpose,” Ramirez reflects. “What makes this event truly special is how it reminds us that life is greater than sports … it’s a chance to honor those affected by cancer and to pause for a moment of silence, celebrating the strength of those fighting this battle and remembering those we’ve lost.”