Hope men's basketball coach Matt Neil and his assistant coaches are taking part in the National Association of Basketball Coaches "Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers" awareness weekend.

They will wear sneakers with their suits when they host Kalamazoo at 3 p.m. Saturday at DeVos Fieldhouse.

The fight against cancer has touched close to home for Hope with the recent disclosure that former Hope captain Chris VanderSlice ('99) has been diagnosed with leukemia.

"Chris Vanderslice was a tenacious player in the paint for us, and he is going through his treatment with the same tenacity and confidence that he will beat this situation," Neil said. "Certainly the prayers and support of the Hope Basketball community can only help."

Click here to listen to Neil on the Tommy and Brook Show on Star 105.7.

VanderSlice began treatment at the University of Michigan hospital last week. Information on how to support VanderSlice and his family will be provided at Saturday's game, Neil said.

Neil said cards should be sent to:

Chris VanderSlice

8A UH Room 8103

1500 E. Medical Center Dr.

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-511

VanderSlice, 37, is a principal at Grandville High School. He and his wife, Tonya, pictured at right, have two daughters — Hannah, 16, and Elizabeth, 11. 

VanderSlice co-captained the men's basketball team during the 1998-99 season. He was a member of the 1997-98 team that finished national runner-up in NCAA Division III.

The 2014 Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers awareness weekend will be held Jan. 24-26.

Suits and Sneakers is a national Coaches vs. Cancer event that is designed to raise awareness about the fight against cancer and the American Cancer Society by encouraging member coaches and their coaching staffs to wear sneakers with their suits at games held that weekend to show support for the Coaches vs. Cancer program.

By wearing sneakers, participating coaches help raise awareness about cancer and the importance that nutrition and physical activity play in reducing one's risk of the disease.

Additionally, this weekend helps promote the American Cancer Society as a place for people facing cancer to turn for free information, day-to-day help, and emotional support.

Click here to learn about the NABC's Suits and Sneakers event.