Posted: Dec 26, 2012

Huntingdon hosts Coaches vs. Cancer Classic this weekend

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The 2012 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic tips off this weekend at Roland Arena.

The tournament features seven games on Friday, seven games on Saturday and one game on Sunday. The 15-team field includes NCAA Division III and NAIA teams from nine states. Among the teams are 24th-ranked Louisiana College and Ferrum College, which is receiving votes in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll. Of the four NAIA teams in the tournament, three are ranked in the Top 25. Xavier University-Louisiana is ninth, Georgetown is 21st and Faulkner University is 24th.

Huntingdon head women's basketball coach Buzz Phillips said the field of teams is the most competitive in the history of the tournament and is expected to provide fans with plenty of excitement. But more importantly, this weekend is a great opportunity to help raise money to fight a disease that has affected so many.

"With the caliber of teams in this tournament, there are going to be some great games and we encourage everyone to come out. This is a way for us to come together through a sport we love and do our part to raise money to fight cancer," Phillips said. "Cancer is something that has touched most of us in one way or another. This is a way for us, and everyone involved, to give back and try to support a worthy cause."

Admission for the tournaments is $10. 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.

Phillips would like to emphasize that while Huntingdon is the host for the tournament, this is a community effort. Along with Huntingdon, Faulkner is 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 Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, Country Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn, the Southeastern Basketball Officials Association, Winn Dixie and Olympia Sporting Goods.

"We're very happy to have Faulkner 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."