2019 Jimmy V Men’s Classic: Indiana, Louisville, Texas Tech and UConn to Play in 25th Annual Doubleheader on ESPN
The 2019 Jimmy V Men’s Classic Presented by Corona – in its 25th year – will include Indiana, Louisville, Texas Tech and UConn. The annual doubleheader, held in conjunction with V Week, will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 10 (time TBD), with the Huskies facing the Hoosiers, and the Cardinals taking on the Red Raiders. Both matchups will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York City, on ESPN.
“We are thrilled to welcome Indiana, Louisville, Texas Tech and UConn to this year’s Classic,” said Pete Derzis, ESPN Pete Derzis, ESPN senior vice president of college sports programming and ESPN Events. “The legacy of Jim Valvano and the work of the V Foundation continue to be honored through this event, and we look forward to bringing fans two great matchups as we raise funds and awareness for cancer research.”
Team Highlights
- Texas Tech, after an impressive 2018-19 season – which included an appearance in the national title game – will play in its first Jimmy V Classic
- Louisville, also earning a spot in last season’s NCAA tournament, will be making its third appearance
- Both Indiana and UConn will make their fourth appearance in the event
- Louisville and Texas Tech are ranked No. 8 and No. 16, respectively, in ESPN’s latest Way-Too-Early Top 25
The 2018 V Week for Cancer Research set a new record, helping raise more than $8.3 million for the V Foundation for Cancer Research – representing an 83% increase from 2017. ESPN engaged new partners and created innovative fundraising and awareness-building campaigns, which ran from Nov. 27 – Dec. 8, and educated fans on the importance of cancer research. Additionally, ESPN created the Tyler Trent Fund at the V Foundation for Cancer Research to support cancer research for adolescents and young adults. Over the past 12 years, V Week fundraising has totaled over $30 million for cancer research.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research is dedicated to declaring victory over cancer. ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator, founded it in 1993. Since 1993, the Foundation has funded more than $225 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Due to generous donors, the Foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process vetted by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.
-30-
Media contact: Anna Negron at [email protected] or 860-766-2233; @ItsAnnaNegron