Feb. 17, 2011

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue fans have an opportunity this Sunday to support both Boilermaker basketball teams and two significant cancer causes with the purchase of one t-shirt.

The specially designed shirt carries a suggested retail price of $15 with $1 from each sale going to the Purdue Center for Cancer Research and $1 to Coaches vs. Cancer, which is part of the American Cancer Society.

Participating stores include Purdue Pride, Follett's Book Stores, University Bookstore and University Spirit. All the stores are selling the shirts on-line as will as through in-store displays.

The goal is to have everyone in Mackey Arena wearing black for the Purdue-Ohio State men's and women's games, which will both be played this Sunday - the men at 1 p.m. and the women at 5 p.m.

"We encourage the fans to purchase this special shirt to create the atmosphere in Mackey that will inspire both Boilermaker teams in these important Big Ten games while also supporting Purdue's Center for Cancer Research and Coaches vs. Cancer," says Heather Hoesly, director of promotions and advertising for Intercollegiate Athletics at Purdue.

The black shirt features the Purdue "Motion P" over an image of a basketball with the words "Mackey Blackout" on the front. The back of the shirt includes a Purdue train logo and the words "Boiler Up for Cure" along with logos representing the Center for Cancer Research and Coaches vs. Cancer and Healthy Planet 2010 (powered by Purdue) to impact life.