Plans in motion to make Hoops For St. Jude a regular-season event
· Yahoo Sports
Planning is under way to shift the Hoops For St. Jude Tip-Off Classic from a preseason doubleheader to a full-fledged, regular-season multi-team college basketball event.
The event, held in 2024 and 2025, was initially conceived as a fundraiser to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It featured both the Memphis men and Memphis women teams playing back-to-back games at FedExForum against high-profile power conference programs.
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Now, organizers have their sights set on growing the event, which will not be played in 2026.
"After two successful Hoops for St. Jude events in 2024 and 2025, we’re working with FedExForum and the University of Memphis to build on that momentum and shape what’s next," Ike Anand, President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, said in a statement provided to The Commercial Appeal.
"Our goal is to grow Hoops for St. Jude into a premier regular-season basketball event that attracts more teams and fans while raising greater awareness and support for the children and families of St. Jude. By bringing together teams, fans, and the community in new ways, we hope to create lasting support for the lifesaving mission of St. Jude for years to come."
No further details were provided.
Penny Hardaway's Tigers are set to face Mississippi State (7 p.m., Oct. 23) in an exhibition game at Humphrey Coliseum, before traveling to Arkansas (7 p.m., Oct. 28) for their final preseason tune-up.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Plans in motion to make Hoops For St. Jude a regular-season event