- Back-to-Back Champion UConn to Face Rhode Island in Exhibition Game to Benefit Coaches vs. Cancer at Mohegan Sun -
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is excited to introduce the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Game benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer as part of Enshrinement Weekend. This special event will feature a matchup between the back-to-back NCAA National Champion Connecticut Huskies and the Rhode Island Rams on Monday, October 14, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
This game will be the Huskies' first appearance since clinching their second consecutive title in April. UConn head coach Dan Hurley previously led Rhode Island from 2012-18, guiding them to the NCAA Tournament in 2017-18.
“We are thrilled to host and partner on this exhibition game as part of our Enshrinement Weekend festivities,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “This game not only brings together two outstanding college basketball programs but also highlights the power of our sport to make a positive impact off the court. By supporting Coaches vs. Cancer, we are proud to contribute to the fight against a disease that has touched so many lives. We look forward to a memorable weekend that celebrates the spirit of basketball and those who inspire us all.”
The NCAA waiver-approved charity game will cap off the Hall of Fame’s weekend’s festivities, which also features the Class of 2024 Enshrinement Ceremony on Sunday, October 13, in Springfield, Massachusetts – the Birthplace of Basketball. All net proceeds from the game will benefit Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society.
“We appreciate the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s support of our work to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families,” said Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society. “Our partnership with the NABC has been invaluable in helping us fund research and directly support those going through a cancer journey. The support and awareness this game will provide extends our reach even further and moves us closer to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.”
Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide partnership between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The program brings together coaches, fans, and the basketball community to support the American Cancer Society's efforts in advancing cancer research, providing patient support, and advocating for those affected by the disease. Currently raising over $10 million annually, the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative has raised more than $167 million to help fulfill the mission of ending cancer. For more information, please visitcoaches.cancer.org.
“Mohegan Sun is a proud partner of both UConn and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and we’re once again thrilled to have an expanded role in Enshrinement Weekend, which will now include this marquee exhibition game inside the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena,” said Jeff Hamilton, President & GM of Mohegan Sun. “UConn vs. URI on October 14, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, will be a great experience for fans, and it is a great way to cap off one of the most exciting weekends of the year at Mohegan Sun!”
Tickets for the 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Game will go on sale on Friday, September 13, via Ticketmaster and at the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office starting Saturday, September 14. Additional details surrounding game time, broadcast information, and credentials will be announced at a later date. For more information, please visit hoophall.com.
Quotes from Participating Head Coaches
“Coaches vs. Cancer is a cause that means a great deal to me, my family and our program - so it’s an honor to be able to support that organization with this game. We can’t thank the Hall of Fame enough for making it happen and for their continued support of the game. It will be a great opportunity for our fans to get their first glimpse at us in real game action, and also a great challenge as we continue to prepare for what we plan to be another special season. I have nothing but love and respect for Rhody and can’t wait to compete with Archie and his program.” – Dan Hurley, UConn
“It is an exciting opportunity to team up with UConn for the Naismith Hall of Fame Enshrinement Game. There is no better measuring stick than the two-time defending national champions. To be able to play in a great venue like Mohegan Sun while benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer is a great way to get the season started. We encourage as many Rhody fans as possible to come out and be part of a special night.” – Archie Miller, Rhode Island
A condensed schedule of events for Enshrinement 2024 is as follows:
Saturday, October 12
Class of 2024 Autograph Session at Mohegan Sun (Uncasville, Conn.)
11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Enshrinement Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala at Mohegan Sun
5:30–7:30 PM: Reception
8:00–10:00 PM: Gala Program
Sunday, October 13
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Museum Hours
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Enshrinement Ceremony Reception at the Marriott Springfield Downtown (Springfield, Mass.)
3:00–4:45 PM
Enshrinement Ceremony Red Carpet Show at Symphony Hall (Springfield, Mass.)
5:00–6:00 PM
Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall
6:00–9:00 PM
Monday, October 14
Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Game: UConn vs. Rhode Island (exhibition) at Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, Conn.)
The full Enshrinement Weekend schedule is available at hoophall.com/events/enshrinement-2024/.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 450 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com, follow @hoophallU, or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.
About Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena, one of the busiest sports and entertainment venues in the world today, was awarded the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice award for “Best Casino with Live Entertainment in America." Mohegan Sun Arena was also named “Best Casino/Resort Venue of the Year” at the 35th Annual Pollstar Awards. In 2021, the 10,000-seat arena also received its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its size in the world from Pollstar and VenuesNow. Mohegan Sun Arena is consistently recognized among the top five venues in the United States, and in 2021 was named “Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency during the pandemic. In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been named the “World’s Best Casino Venue” by Best of Hartford Magazine and is a seven-time national award winner for “Arena of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music Awards and G2E Las Vegas. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.