UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State men's basketball team and in-state foe Robert Morris will team up for a charity exhibition game on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at the UPMC Events Center in Moon Township, Pa. Proceeds from the exhibition game between the Nittany Lions and Colonials will support the American Cancer Society as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. Tickets for the exhibition game will be $10.00 and go on sale on Monday, Oct. 2.
Penn State and Robert Morris will come together to support a cause that is close to both programs' hearts in support of Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society.
Penn State will be playing in support of mindfulness coach Alex Peavey and the Peavey Project. A trusted friend and ally of Peter and Ann Tombros Endowed Head Coach Mike Rhoades and the Penn State coaching staff, Peavey has endured a five-year battle with two stage-four cancers. Peavey has been given days, weeks and months to live throughout his battle, but has continued to persevere and fight. The non-profit Peavey Project seeks to amplify the lessons and legacy of Alex Peavey and positively impact the trajectory of our community by teaching mindfulness and mental performance skills. Rhoades has partnered with the Peavey Project for a number of years to teach his teams the importance of mindfulness as a pillar of holistic student-athlete welfare.
Robert Morris will be playing in support of Colonials' Director of Basketball Operations Matthew Sweet who was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer in March 2023. Sweet has completed four rounds of chemo and immunotherapy as well as one round of chemotherapy and radiation. Sweet will continue immunotherapy treatments over the next year.
"We are excited to go on the road to play a charity exhibition game at Robert Morris and support Matthew Sweet's battle against lung cancer," said Rhoades. "It will be an early opportunity for our new team to not only play a quality opponent in UPMC Events Center, but also play for a great cause. It's an important opportunity any time college basketball teams can take part in Coaches vs. Cancer initiatives, and especially in this case to help take care of one of our own. It will be an absolute honor to share the court with Coach Toole and his team. The fight against cancer is always a courageous and tireless battle and Penn State Basketball wants to do our part to support Coach Sweet and so many others. We must always pay it forward. We Are."
"We couldn't be more excited to host Penn State in an exhibition game at the UPMC Events Center and bring awareness to a great cause in Coaches vs. Cancer," said Robert Morris Head Coach Andrew Toole. "I'd like to thank PSU head coach Mike Rhoades and his staff for embracing the opportunity to play the game. It's great to have a willing partner for such an important cause. Matthew has faced his challenges head on this summer as he battles against a rare form of cancer, and we're here for support and encouragement as he continues his fight."
For over 30 years, the Coaches vs. Cancer program, in collaboration with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), has united coaches and fans nationwide to help the American Cancer Society defeat a common enemy – cancer. Through fundraising and initiatives, the Coaches vs. Cancer program has supported the American Cancer Society in its efforts to save lives from cancer.
Penn State men's basketball's longstanding relationship with Coaches vs. Cancer has raised more than $3.7 million net to date and CvC-Penn State is among nation's most successful fundraising chapters. Individuals can get involved with the Coaches vs. Cancer of Penn State chapter by becoming a sponsor or volunteering. For more information, visit the CvC-Penn State website.
The Nittany Lions enter their first season under Peter and Ann Tombros Endowed Head Coach Mike Rhoades in 2023-24. Rhoades came to Penn State following a six-year stint as the head coach at VCU in which he guided the Rams to three NCAA Tournament appearances, a 129-60 overall record and 72-32 Atlantic 10 Conference record. In 19 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Rhoades, a Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania native, has produced a 373-189 record, a winning percentage of .664, seven NCAA Tournament appearances and nine national postseason appearances. Penn State is coming off a 2022-23 season that saw the Nittany Lions finish 23-14 overall and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
