The University of South Carolina and Virginia Tech will meet in the “Hoops 4 Hurricane Relief” exhibition contest on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. ET, at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., Gamecock head coach Frank Martin and Hokie head coach Buzz Williams announced on Monday.
The exhibition event will raise funds for those impacted by the recent storms, as net proceeds from the game will support hurricane relief efforts in Texas, South Florida and Puerto Rico. Fans who donate $250 or more will receive two premium seats for the matchup, as well as two passes to the McGuire Club during the game.
Additionally, Martin and Williams encourage fans to make a donation to the “Hoops 4 Hurricane Relief” fund via online donation at https://crowdfunding.giving.sc.edu/project/8207. Funds raised from the game on Nov. 5, and the online donation will be directed to organizations benefitting the affected areas.
”During our August NABC Board of Director meetings, we asked the NCAA to consider allowing schools to play an additional exhibition game to help give relief to the different communities that have been affected by the storms,” Martin said. “The NCAA should be commended in allowing schools to play games like the one we will play against Virginia Tech to help raise much needed funds to the communities that are in dire need of our help. What a great opportunity for two NCAA Tournament teams to play each other for this cause.”
“Virginia Tech is honored to be able to participate in such an outstanding event,” Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams said. “To be able to help these areas that have seen such devastation due to the hurricanes is the right thing to do. We will be able to play a game against a top-level opponent and have the ability to help people in need in the process. I applaud Coach Martin and his staff for putting this together on such short notice. Plus, there is the ability for our fans, who may not be able to attend the game the opportunity to give through the online link. That’s what the Hokie Nation does, help those in need.”
Both coaching staffs and members of each program have deep ties to the affected areas. Martin is a native of South Florida and Williams is a native Texan. Virginia Tech associate head coach Steve Roccaforte is a Beaumont, Texas, native that had family and close friends directly impacted by the devastation, and Gamecock assistant Chuck Martin had family members in Puerto Rico impacted as well.
Both the Gamecocks and Hokies will begin the 2017-18 season on Nov. 10, as South Carolina travels to Wofford (7 p.m. ET) for its season opener, and Virginia Tech will host Detroit Mercy at 6 p.m. ET at Cassell Coliseum, as part of the 2K Classic.
–VT Athletics