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Rutgers basketball is set to start its preseason with an exhibition against St. John’s at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, N.Y. on October 21 at 2 P.M, according to a release from the St. John’s athletic department. The proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation. News of the game was initially reported by the New York Post and the Asbury Park Press.
The V Foundation was founded in 1993 to help raise money for cancer research and treatment. The foundation was co-founded by and is named for former Rutgers player Jim Valvano, who played for the Scarlet Knights from 1964 to 1967. The research fund is named after Vitale, who was an assistant coach for then-head coach Dick Lloyd from 1971 to 1973.
“We are excited to partner with Rick Pitino, Dick Vitale, and the Jimmy V Foundation on October 21,” Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said in the statement. “Jimmy V was recently named a Basketball Hall of Famer and is one of the all-time great Scarlet Knights. Dick Vitale’s legendary career is intertwined with the success of Rutgers Basketball. We are thrilled to help this great charity to push forward research to help any child facing pediatric cancer. We are excited to face off against a great program run by another Hall of Fame coach in Rick Pitino for a great cause and look forward to tip-off.”
Vitale is a board member for the V Foundation, and the research fund in his name has raised $68.1 million to support pediatric cancer research.
“I am so thankful to St. John’s Rick Pitino and Rutgers [head coach] Steve Pikiell to play an exhibition game to benefit The V Foundation for kids battling cancer,” Vitale said in the statement. “All the dollars donated will go for pediatric cancer research. Personally, it means so much to me as I have dedicated myself for years with my [Dick Vitale] Gala for pediatric cancer research. We have raised $68.1 million thus far, but so much more is needed. Once again, a big THANK YOU to Coach Pitino and Coach Pikiell! You guys are AWESOME BABY!”
Rutgers last played a competitive game against St. John’s in 2018, falling 84-65 in a Gavitt Games matchup in Piscataway. The two teams last played each other at Carnesecca Arena in 2015 in the first-ever Gavitt Games. Rutgers also played against St. John’s in a preseason exhibition in 2017.
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