WINTER HAVEN – The uniforms will look the same for Polk State Basketball players, but the coaches will be dressed just a bit different for Saturday's home contest against No. 24 Eastern Florida State College.

Coaches will wear "Suits and Sneakers" for the Citrus Conference matchup. The attire is part of the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative.

Held from Jan. 27 through Feb. 5 this year, Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers Week is a nationwide event where basketball coaches across the country unite for a common cause – ending cancer. To raise awareness and bring attention to the cause, the American Cancer Society asks coaches to suit up during their games – and wear their most eye-catching sneakers. 

According to its website, the "Coaches vs. Cancer (CvC) program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Since 1993, this initiative has leveraged the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of coaches nationwide to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living through year-round awareness efforts, fundraising activities, and advocacy programs."

An announcement will be made during Saturday's contest to make attendees aware of the initiative and how they can make a difference. Saturday's game between the Eagles and Titans is scheduled for 2 p.m.

The American Cancer Society is a nonprofit that aims to "improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer." Founded in 1913, the organization has raised nearly $7 billion toward cancer research.

"Just about everyone has someone they know or love who has been affected by cancer," Polk State Head Coach Brandon Giles said. "Whether people are at our game on Saturday, a game somewhere else, or just watching basketball on TV, hopefully this initiative is motivation for some to get involved."