University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI men’s basketball to wear lavender for annual Hope Always game
1/29/2026 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Panthers to wear lavender jerseys for Jan. 31 game against Evansville in support of cancer awareness.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI men's basketball team will host its annual Hope Always Game on Saturday, Jan. 31 when it takes on the Evansville Purple Aces in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) action.
As part of the American Cancer Society and National Basketball Coaches Association's (NABC) Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Week, the Panthers this season have chosen to wear lavender jerseys in place of
Iowa Suits & Sneakers Gala.
pink shirts, as the color lavender symbolizes support for all cancer types and survivors. The game is designed not just to help raise awareness for cancer, but also raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
"The American Cancer Society Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Week is a powerful reminder of what can happen when sports and community come together for a greater purpose," said Kevin Kann, Executive Director (Iowa Nebraska Area) with the American Cancer Society. "Our longstanding relationship with Coach Ben Jacobson and the Northern Iowa Panthers reflects a shared commitment to fighting cancer on and off the court. We're grateful for their continued support and the impact this game has in advancing the American Cancer Society's mission for patients, families, and communities. With Iowa facing one of the highest cancer rates in the country, this game is a powerful chance to push early detection and screening to the forefront"
The UNI men's basketball program has been a longtime supporter of the efforts by the American Cancer Society to support those battling cancer. Throughout the previous years, head coach Ben Jacobson and his wife
to the Hope Lodge in Iowa City last season.
Dawn have been regular attendees at the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Gala in Des Moines alongside other Division I head men's basketball coaches in the state. Additionally, the Panther program has held supply drives for the American Cancer Society Russell and Ann Gerdin Hope Lodge in Iowa City, which helps provide for cancer patients and their caregivers while away from home for treatment.
Fans attending the Lavender Game will have multiple opportunities to show their support, including cancer awareness ribbons available to represent specific types of cancer, as well as a lavender shirt and pom pom giveaway.
Panther fans will have the opportunity to own this year's game worn lavender jerseys with an online auction with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. The auction is now open and will run through 11:59 p.m. CT on Sunday, Feb. 1 with jerseys being delivered to winners at the end of the 2025-26 season. To bid on these game worn jerseys through the Handbid app, click HERE. Payments can be made directly through the app.
For more information about the ACT Fund, click HERE, and for more information about the American Cancer Society, click HERE.
UNI men's basketball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Men's Basketball), X (@UNImbb) and on Instagram (@uni_basketball). Schedule and roster information, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
