(Peru, Neb.) – What do you do when you do when you do not have a basketball game during the week of "Coaches versus Cancer and Suits and Sneakers Week?" You have it the next possible date.

That is the case for the Peru State basketball teams as the Bobcats do not have a home game during the week of January 20. So, the Peru State coaches and the Peru Association of Student Athletes (PASA) will be hosting their Coaches versus Cancer game on January 27 when the Baker (Kan.) Wildcats visit the Al Wheeler Activity Center. Coaches V Cancer

Instead of having an admission charge for the night, fans from both teams will be encouraged to give a free will donation which will go directly to the American Cancer Society (ACS) for the event. The ACS notes that 97.5% of funds received through the Coaches versus Cancer – Suits and Sneakers event goes directly to support its activities. So far, over $27,627 has been raised through earlier games and events for the 2019-20 activities.

When basketball coaches are wearing tennis shoes and/or sneakers, it catches basketball fans off-guard, especially if they have not been to a game in sometime or have not watched any games on television. However, basketball aficionados are aware that usually the last week in January, you see basketball coaches in sneakers rather than dress shoes.

So, you will see the Bobcat basketball coaches, both women and men, along with hopefully their Baker counterparts, in sneakers next Monday evening on Peru State's campus. Suits and Sneakers week is one part of the Coaches versus Cancer events which is organized through the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

The Bobcats teams will be hosting a Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) women and men's doubleheader against the Wildcats from Baldwin City, Kan. The women's game will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by the men's game at approximately 7:30 p.m.

PASA will be providing an opportunity for those attending to contribute to the cause. PASA members Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) and Isaac Simpson (Papillion), both junior basketball players, will be preparing "honor posters" which people can write the name of someone they want to honor who has dealt with cancer. A freewill donation will be accepted, but there is no charge to honor someone with a sneaker.

It is anticipated that more than 350 head and assistant basketball coaches across the United States are expected to being wearing sneakers during the week of January 20. The coaches are joining the American Cancer Society (ACS) by supporting its vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

For the past 25 years, the Coaches vs. Cancer program, in collaboration with the National Association of Basketball Coaches, has united coaches and fans nationwide to help the American Cancer Society defeat a common enemy – cancer. With everyone's passion and dedicated support, the impact has been felt in communities nationwide.

Bobcat athletic director Wayne Albury appreciates the administration's backing of this effort and SAAC's willingness to help the cause. Albury said, "We certainly appreciate the administration's approval of what has become an annual event for Peru State. I am proud of PASA's efforts to help lead the promotion of the event."

"We are excited to continue the tradition of hosting a Sneakers & Suits game each year. This event is just a small way for us to give back to cancer research in the area," said Bobcat head men's Bob Ludwig. "Everyone can look back and say they've had someone that has been affected by this disease.

Head women's basketball coach Joan Albury noted, "This is an opportunity at our level to bring some awareness to southeast Nebraska, our fans, and the Heart Conference."

PASA president Ally Hazen, a softball player, from North Platte added, "Peru State is very much aware of individuals who have lost their lives to cancer as we lost a fellow student-athlete last fall. Riley Holstine, a football player from Mound City, Mo., passed away from his battle with cancer. If in some small way that PASA's involvement can help, that is a good thing and is a reflection of our athletic department's commitment to the NAIA's Champions of Character initiative."

So, Bobcat fans and others wanting to support this noble cause, show up at the Al Wheeler Activity Center Monday night and generously donate to help fight cancer. You, of course, can wear whatever shoes you want!!