Jan. 23, 2013

PHILADELPHIA - Head coach Phil Martelli and the Saint Joseph's men's basketball team will help raise awareness and funds for cancer research through the sale of teal shoelaces at Saturday's game with Xavier, supporting "Hawks for Margo". This weekend marks the annual Coaches vs. Cancer "Suits and Sneakers" weekend.

In conjunction with "Suits and Sneakers" weekend, both teams and their coaching staffs will be re-lacing their sneakers with teal shoelaces in support of Margo Mallory Ambler, the sister of Hawks' student-athlete Taylor Mallory. Fans will also be encouraged to purchase the shoelaces for $3 prior to and during the game. All proceeds raised will go directly toward the "Hawks for Margo" fight to increase cancer awareness. Beginning on January 22, the Saint Joseph's community will be able to purchase shoelaces to wear during Saturday's game. They will be sold in the Campion Student Center on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and in Hagan Arena prior to the game.

"I'm honored and humbled to be a part of a cause greater than myself and my program, If we can raise awareness that funds the battle against this dreaded disease by playing basketball, then it is an obligation and responsibility that I embrace," said Martelli, who is the chair of the National Coaches vs. Cancer Council, a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

"Hawks for Margo" was formed through the work of Saint Joseph's student-athletes and provides the SJU community with an opportunity to honor the memory of Margo and to increase cancer awareness.

"My sister's fight has ended, but ours has just begun," added "Hawks for Margo" founder Taylor Mallory, Margo's sister. "We must help find a cure to this horrible disease. This is where all of you come in. We cannot achieve this goal without the help of others."

Suits and Sneakers Weekend Video

About Margo Mallory Ambler- Margo Mallory, the 24-year-old sister to Saint Joseph's women's soccer player Taylor Mallory, lost her battle with cervical cancer in September 2012. While undergoing nine months of treatment, Margo wrote about her battle against cervical cancer, and spoke of helping others going through the same challenges. Her hope was to impact those through raising cancer awareness.

About Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend- Coaches vs. Cancer serves as a way for basketball coaches, their teams and surround communities to collaboratively work together in the fight against cancer. The nationwide collaboration program allows coaches involved to raise cancer awareness and promote healthy living through integrated fundraising activities. The Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend gives coaches the opportunity to showcase the many ways people can reduce the risk of cancer, including exercising and making healthy lifestyle decisions. Collegiate coaches nationwide will wear sneakers with their suits to show their support in the fight against cancer. This year's Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend is January 25-27.