The SMU coaching staff is participating in the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers Week (Jan. 21-27). The program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Since 1993, coaches have raised over $100 million for the American Cancer Society.

Some of the Mustangs shared who they're fighting for and what supporting Coaches vs. Cancer means to them.



Freshman forward Feron Hunt is fighting for his aunt, Brenda Marshall.

"That's my aunt. She had cancer and she overcame it. So that meant a lot to me to be able to fight with her not too long ago when I was in New Orleans. I remember my mom going to rehab every day with her, and I was there some of the days when I was able to make it and didn't have school," Hunt said.

"I think it's important that we're able to do something for a lot of people out there that have cancer. It's sad that it takes lives, but I'm glad we're able to do something for it," Hunt said.



Head coach Tim Jankovich is fighting for his mother, Ann Jankovich.

"Cancer is one of the scariest words of my lifetime, whenever you would hear it. Then when it hits your family, it's a whole another level. There's millions and millions of people that have this exact same story, but it did hit our family. It hit my grandfather and then it hit my mom. I can tell you when I was young we talked about helping fight cancer, it had a different feeling than it does now when you live the reality. Whatever we can do, whatever possible to help somebody. The best thing that I've heard lately, is that amazing progress has been made in survival rates in cancer patients across the board. And what is better news than that, really?" Jankovich said.



Junior guard James Pyle is fighting for his good friend's little brother, Charlie Walsh.

"He was born with a rare form of cancer. He's been fighting it his whole life, gone in and out of remission. He's a great kid. Honestly I thought who would be better to put than a child who's been fighting his whole life? He's healthy today, and thank God for that," Pyle said.

"It's a great cause. I think it's good to step back and take a look every once in a while and see the bigger picture, putting a basketball game into perspective. This is a kid fighting cancer, growing up his life was changed. No fault of his, it was just the way he was made. Putting that in perspective versus a basketball game, it helps you see life for what it really is," Pyle said.