MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Florida Tech men's basketball team has designated this Wednesday's home game against Rollins College as its Cancer Awareness game.

The game will feature the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers event, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

Basketball coaches across the country unite for a common cause – saving lives from cancer. Coaches and their staff across the nation wear sneakers with their suits during games to raise awareness and help save lives by raising funds and encouraging people to educate themselves about cancer prevention, screening and early detection.

"Our coaching staff is once again excited to take part this week in the annual Coaches vs Cancer Suits and Sneakers event.," exclaimed Billy Mims. "This event particularly hits home for me and other SSC coaches as it was only a short time ago that one of our own, Cesar Odio, the long time head coach at Barry University lost his own battle with cancer. Legendary NC State Head Coach Jim Valvano also lost the battle but not before delivering one of the most inspirational speeches the ESPY's have ever seen. Now, the V Foundation continues his battle for all who suffer. I for one hope that one day soon "the big V" will discover the cure for "the big C" and then my friend Cesar and Jimmy V's battles will truly be won."

For more information on the Suits & Sneakers campaign or if you wish to donate to the cause, log on to www.cancer.org.

The matchup between the Panthers and Tars is slated for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off at the Clemente Center.