After debuting in 2024 to strong fan support, the Hoops for St. Jude® Tip Off Classic presented by Bad Boy Mowers returns to FedExForum on Oct. 27 to deliver another high-energy showcase of college basketball benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.
Game schedule (airing on ESPNU, Central Time):
· 5:30 p.m. - University of Memphis women’s basketball vs. Vanderbilt University
· 8:00 p.m. - University of Memphis men’s basketball vs. University of Arkansas
Last year’s inaugural Tip Off Classic saw the University of Memphis Tigers take on the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. The event drew more than 8,000 fans to FedExForum to help St. Jude advance research and treatment of life-threatening childhood diseases.
“The Tip Off Classic is more than a game. It’s a powerful expression of what can happen when a community unites to hoop for hope,” said Ike Anand, President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “It’s deeply meaningful to witness these incredible college programs take the court not just to compete, but to champion the mission of St. Jude. The energy in FedExForum, the pride of Memphis, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt, and the generosity of fans fuel the work St. Jude does for children with catastrophic diseases both here and around the world.”
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – so they can focus on helping their child live. Funds raised through events like this help St. Jude extend that support around the world, including a recent collaboration to deliver childhood cancer medicines at no cost to five countries, part of a larger plan to reach 120,000 children in 50 countries.
When fans attend the Tip Off Classic, they help make this lifesaving work possible. Tickets for Hoops for St. Jude® Tip Off Classic presented by Bad Boy Mowers will go on sale Friday, September 9, at noon and the FedExForum Box Office. An exclusive FedExForum presale is available this Friday, September 5, from noon to Tuesday, September 9 at 11:59 a.m. for current Memphis Grizzlies MVP Season Ticket Members, recipients of FedExForum Event Alert e-mails and texts and subscribers of Grizzlies e-News.
