MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon College women's basketball team will host its Coaches vs. Cancer Classic on Dec. 29-31.

This isn't the first time Huntingdon has hosted a Coaches vs. Cancer tournament, but this will be the largest one yet at Roland Arena. This year's tournament consists of 15 teams from nine states.

Huntingdon women's basketball coach and athletic director Buzz Phillips said the solid field of NCAA Division III teams and NAIA teams will provide plenty of action for basketball fans. But that's only one reason to come out for the tournament.

The primary purpose of the tournament is to help raise money to fight a disease that has affected so many.

"This is a way for us, and everyone involved, to give back and try to help a great cause," Phillips said. "Cancer is something that has touched most of us in one way or another. This is a way for us to come together through a sport we love and do our part to raise money to fight cancer."

Admission is $5, with all of the proceeds going to Coaches vs. Cancer. If anyone would like to contribute more than $5, the extra donation is welcome. For those who would like to make a donation, but can't stay for the games, a donation may still be made at the ticket gate during the tournament.

Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Among the goals are to raise cancer awareness, promote healthy living and raise money to help fight the disease. More than 2,000 college coaches are involved in the program that has helped raise almost $50 million since it first began.

Phillips would like to emphasize that while Huntingdon is the host for the tournament, this is not solely a Huntingdon effort. Along with Huntingdon, AUM and Faulkner University are playing in the tournament and almost a dozen sponsors are helping to make the tournament possible.

In addition to Huntingdon College and Coaches vs. Cancer, the City of Montgomery and the Central Alabama Sports Commission are key contributors, as are Chappy's Deli, Coca-Cola, Country Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn, the Peach Belt Officials Association, Winn Dixie and Olympia Sporting Goods.

"We're very happy to have the Faulkner and AUM teams involved and we'd like to thank all of our sponsors," Phillips said. "The tournament wouldn't be possible without the help of so many great sponsors."

Huntingdon College Coaches vs. Cancer Classic schedule

*All games will be played at Huntingdon's Roland Arena.

Dec. 29

9 a.m. – Meredith College vs. Rhodes College

11 a.m. – Oglethorpe University vs. Mississippi College

1 p.m. -- Blackburn College vs. Birmingham-Southern

3 p.m. – Centre College vs. Ripon College

5 p.m. – Huntingdon College vs. Millsaps College

7 p.m. – Martin Methodist College vs. AUM

9 p.m. – University of New Orleans vs. Faulkner University

Dec. 30

9 a.m. – Millsaps College vs. Blackburn College

11 a.m. – Mississippi College vs. Centre College

1 p.m. – Ripon College vs. Oglethorpe College

3 p.m. – Birmingham-Southern vs. Meredith College

5 p.m. – Rhodes College vs. Rust College

7 p.m. – Faulkner University vs. Martin Methodist College

9 p.m. – AUM vs. University of New Orleans

Dec. 31

1 p.m. – Rust College vs. Huntingdon