MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College men's and women's basketball teams will be joining forces with the Marietta College chapter of Colleges Against Cancer Feb. 5 when they host a Coaches vs. Cancer doubleheader against Ohio Northern University during Winter Weekend.

A full schedule of events are centered around the Ohio Athletic Conference match-up between the Pioneers and the Polar Bears, including the introduction of Marietta's 28th Hall of Fame Class at halftime of the men's game. Colleges Against Cancer will be sponsoring a Face Painting Table and a Bake Sale throughout the day. The Marietta softball team and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) have both signed up to support the cause on Feb. 5. Pioneer softball will donate a portion of the concession sales, while SAAC will donate a portion of the proceeds from the 50-50 raffles.

"Coaches vs. Cancer is a very important event for our campus and community as everyone has been touched by cancer in one way or another," said Chad Gardner, Chair of Marietta's chapter of Colleges Against Cancer.

Fans will have an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a variety of on-court activities, including a knockout contest during halftime of the women's game as well as a half court and three-point shot contest between games. The Pioneers will also be taking pledges, beginning on Jan. 26, for three-point shots made during both the men's and women's games against the Polar Bears.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day for all cancer survivors that are in attendance.

All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society Washington County Relay for Life through donations made to the Marietta College chapter of Colleges Against Cancer. Online donations can be made HERE. Checks made out to the American Cancer Society will be accepted at the Coaches vs. Cancer table, which will be in the lobby of Ban Johnson Arena throughout the Winter Weekend activities.

Donations will be presented in the name of Mike Kubachka, Leslie Frye and Linda Marshall. Mike was the father of Pioneer assistant coach Matt Kubachka (Shade/Alexander), while Leslie and Linda were foster parents, former Marietta employees and friends. Their memories serve as a perpetual inspiration for the Pioneers to continue the battle of Coaches vs. Cancer.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of college and high school coaches across the country, Coaches vs. Cancer participants have raised nearly $45 million since 1993. Since 1996, Marietta has raised over $51,000 for the American Cancer Society. The majority of those funds came through the men's basketball team's Three Point Attack on Cancer, a program brought to campus by former coach Doug Foote.

The money has helped the Society save lives by educating and empowering people to avoid cancer or find it early, helping people facing cancer make decisions and overcome obstacles in their personal fight investing in research that yields groundbreaking discoveries into cancer's causes and cures and helping pass laws that fight cancer and keep our communities healthy.

Colleges Against Cancer is a nationwide collaboration of college students, faculty, and staff dedicated to eliminating cancer by working to implement the programs and mission of the American Cancer Society. With hundreds of chapters nationwide, Colleges Against Cancer is showing the world that young people care and want to make a difference.

The Marietta College Relay for Life will take place inside the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center March 25 beginning at 6 p.m. All community members are welcome to participate. Please contact Colleges Against Cancer Chair Chad Gardner at marietta.college.cac@gmail.com if you have any questions or are interested in organizing a team for the annual event.

"Coaches vs. Cancer will promote publicity of our Relay for Life event and show that the Marietta College community is dedicated to fighting cancer on all fronts,” said Emma Vierheller, Treasurer of Marietta's chapter of Colleges Against Cancer. “The funding that will be raised will work to find a cure and end the suffering of millions of people."

To learn more about Coaches vs. Cancer, visit http://cancer.org/coaches or call 1-800-ACS-2345. You can also stop by the Coaches vs. Cancer table in the lobby of Ban Johnson Arena on game day.