ORONO – College basketball coaches nationwide will leave their shoes in the closet and lace up sneakers before strolling the sidelines this weekend as part of the National Association of Basketball Coaches’ Coaches vs. Cancer awareness program. Coaches are asking everyone from team staff to fans and the media to wear sneakers as well while attending college basketball games Saturday and Sunday, and University of Maine coaches are urging everyone wear sneakers to Saturday’s 7 p.m. men’s basketball game against Albany at Alfond Arena.

Since its foundation in 1993, Coaches vs. Cancer has generated more than $23 million for the American Cancer Society.