NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men’s basketball staff will wear sneakers with their suits this weekend as part of the national Suits and Sneakers Awareness Week. The initiative is run each year by the Coaches vs. Cancer program, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

The Spartan basketball staff will don new white Nike sneakers with gold laces on Saturday when the Spartans take on Hampton at 6 p.m. at the HU Convocation Center. First place in the MEAC will be on the line between the Spartans (6-1) and Pirates (7-1) in the first edition of the Battle of the Bay this season.

Suits and Sneakers Awareness Week is a nationwide event taking place from Jan. 25-31 where coaches and their staff wear sneakers with their suits while coaching games to raise awareness, share the importance of nutrition and physical activity, and to promote the American Cancer Society as a place for people facing cancer to turn to for free information, help, and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Fans can help support the American Cancer Society by purchasing a specially designed pair of sneaker laces in memory of Lacey Holsworth, an eight-year-old basketball fan who died of cancer in 2014.  Laces will be available from all Shoe Carnival Stores and at www.shoecarnival.com/lacey. Funds will go to the American Cancer Society and Princess Lacey’s Legacy to assist in the fight against pediatric cancer.

The Coaches vs. Cancer initiative leverages the personal experiences, community leadership and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The program seeks to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living among students, faculty and staff, fans and the community at large. Since its inception in 1993, the American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer initiative has raised more than $93 million to support the Society’s mission.

Hampton and NSU currently sit first and second, respectively, in the conference standings. The winner of Saturday’s game will have sole possession of first place with Howard (4-1) sitting as the only other team in the league with less than two losses.