Last Sunday marked the end of the American Cancer Society’s and National Association of Basketball Coaches’ annual “Suits and Sneakers” week. The collaboration focuses on raising awareness and taking a united stand against cancer.
Coaches from across the nation attended their regular season games in a suits, but paired the outfit with their most eye-catching pair of sneakers from Jan. 23 to 29. The Washington and Lee Men’s Basketball Coaching Staff was no exception.
Chris McHugh, head men’s basketball coach, and Trey Livingston, assistant men’s basketball coach, attended the home game against Bridgewater College on Jan. 25 dressed in full suits and casual sneakers.
“This is a very easy thing for us to do as a slight nod to all the great people and healthcare professionals out there working toward the cause,” McHugh said. “I think that most people in their lives probably have someone they know of themselves who’s been afflicted by this terrible disease of cancer, so I think it’s just a gesture from the coaches across the country to say let’s keep our eye on the ball.”
The initiative is run through the Coaches vs. Cancer program, founded by cancer survivor and former head coach of the University of Missouri’s men’s basketball team, Norm Stewart. Since its inception over 25 years ago, the program has raised over $145 million in funding for the American Cancer Society’s research efforts.
“This movement continues to inspire people to help, donate, and have faith in a world that one day doesn’t have cancer,” said Coach McHugh. “It’s the fundraising, the research, and the sense of hope that allows us to dream of a place where hopefully everybody is cancer-free.”