PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Fairfield University Men's Basketball will visit Rutgers for an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 30 at Jersey Mike's Arena at 1 p.m., as announced Friday in a joint release from the two programs. In collaboration with Rutgers football legend Eric LeGrand, all net proceeds from the game will go to support Team LeGrand of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

"We are excited to work with Coach Young and the Fairfield men's basketball program for such a great initiative started by a Rutgers legend in supporting Team LeGrand of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation," Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said. "Not only do we have the opportunity to prepare for the highly anticipated 2022-23 season against great competition, but both communities will come together to support a cause that is close to all of our hearts on Oct. 30. Coach Young is a forever member of our extended basketball family."

"We are proud to partner with Rutgers men's basketball in support of Team LeGrand and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation," Fairfield Head Coach Jay Young said. "Eric's journey is a story of courage and perseverance, and he is truly an inspiration to all. We are proud to assist Team LeGrand's work in the discovery of treatments and cures for spinal cord injuries. I want to thank Coach Pikiell for giving us the opportunity to compete against a talented Rutgers team in a game for such a great cause."

Before assuming the head coaching job at Fairfield, Young worked as Pikiell's assistant coach at Rutgers from 2016-19 and previously at Stony Brook University from 2005-16.

"While I've been so fortunate in my recovery process, there are so many people living with spinal cord injuries who don't have access to the proper resources," said LeGrand. "By supporting Team LeGrand, I'll be able to help all of those individuals on their road to  recovery, and together we can achieve Christopher Reeve's dream of empty wheelchairs. I am so excited to partner with both men's basketball programs and I am thankful for hosting this amazing event."

LeGrand, the former Rutgers University football player who suffered a spinal cord injury during a football game in October 2010, officially launched Team LeGrand in 2013. The mission of Team LeGrand is to help individuals living with spinal cord injury and their families by supporting quality of life initiatives and emerging therapies. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to finding treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders.

Public on-sale date for tickets to the Oct. 30 game is set for Thursday, Sept. 22 on a first come, first serve basis. Fans can sit courtside at Jersey Mike's Arena for the price of $52, the number that LeGrand wore as a member of the Scarlet Knights football team for three seasons (2008-10).

100 level seating including the lobby and floor loge sections of Jersey Mike's Arena will be priced at $20 per ticket. General admission for the event is priced at $5 and will only be available at the Jersey Mike's Arena ticket booth. Fans may contact the Rutgers Athletics Ticket Office for more information.

About Team LeGrand
Team LeGrand of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation helps individuals living with spinal cord injury and their families by supporting quality of life initiatives and emerging therapies that will get us to the end zone -- cures for SCI. For more information, please visit TeamLeGrand.org or call 800-225-0292.
 
About the Reeve Foundation
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information, and advocacy. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau's standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB's Charity Seal. For more information, please visit our website at ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.