Hilltoppers Designate UTEP Game for Block Cancer Event

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Mike Slive Foundation is partnering with Conference USA on the Block Cancer initiative throughout the month of February to raise awareness for prostate cancer, with each C-USA school choosing one conference game as its Block Cancer event.

WKU Hilltopper Basketball designated the conference game against UTEP at 6 p.m. CT Saturday as its Block Cancer event.

"We're honored to participate in the Mike Slive Foundation's Block Cancer initiative for prostate cancer research," WKU head coach Rick Stansbury said. "I had a longstanding friendship going back to my days in the SEC with Mike, who knew the importance of bringing public awareness to the fight against this disease which affects so many. The foundation is continuing to do great work under the leadership of Mike's daughter, Anna, and many others, and Western Kentucky is proud to play a role in keeping the efforts of Mike and his wife Liz going strong into the future. We all know someone close to us who's been affected by cancer, and it's crucial that we bring as much attention to screening and education as we can."

The teams will wear blue Block Cancer shirts in pregame, and coaches will wear blue ties. During the game, fans will see signage and videos that focus on increasing awareness for prostate cancer. Fans will also have the opportunity to donate by texting GIVE to 855-662-2996, or online at mikeslivefoundation.org.

"Block Cancer Month is a fantastic initiative, and we are honored to support the cause on our campuses," said C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod. "Mike Slive's courageous fight against prostate cancer and the legacy of his foundation are inspirations to us all."

A man dies of prostate cancer every 20 minutes, and one in seven men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. African-American men are 1.6 times more likely to get prostate cancer and more than twice likely to die from it. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death (after skin cancer) for men.

"We are excited to partner with Conference USA on the Block Cancer initiative in February," said Anna Slive Harwood, President of the Mike Slive Foundation. "Using the platform of college athletics to help raise awareness of prostate cancer was my father's vision. We are grateful for the ongoing support of Conference USA as we continue to build new programming and initiatives to help change the dialogue around prostate cancer."

The full schedule of C-USA Block Cancer games is as follows:

February 2, 2019 – North Texas at Charlotte
February 2, 2019 – Rice at Old Dominion
February 2, 2019 - UTEP at WKU
February 7, 2019 – Old Dominion at UAB
February 7, 2019 – Charlotte at MTSU
February 9, 2019 – WKU at North Texas
February 9, 2019 – Marshall at Rice
February 9, 2019 – FIU at UTEP
February 14, 2019 – UTEP at Louisiana Tech
February 14, 2019 – UAB at Marshall
February 14, 2019 – Rice at FIU
February 14, 2019 – UTSA at Southern Miss
February 16, 2019 - Rice at FAU
TBD - TBD at UTSA

The Block Cancer initiative is possible due to the generous support of many companies, including Prater Flooring and Linell Graphics.

About the Mike Slive Foundation

The Mike Slive Foundation endeavors to become a global leader in the fight to eradicate prostate cancer through public awareness and research funding in memory of Mike Slive, a transformative leader whose vision and direction revolutionized the business of collegiate sports. For more information or to donate to the Mike Slive Foundation, visit www.mikeslivefoundation.org.

Related Videos