The University of Louisville announced on Monday that women’s basketball Head Coach Jeff Walz and Provost Beth Boehm have agreed to donate $10 to raiseRED (up to $5,000 each) for every student that attends the Jan. 31 women’s basketball game against Connecticut.

raiseRED is a nationally recognized, student-led philanthropic campaign that fights to end pediatric cancer and blood disease and better the lives of Louisville children and their families.

Students receive a free ticket when they show their ID inside the KFC Yum! Center lobby. Tables will be set up to distribute student tickets on the right-hand side of the lobby.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and the game will tip off at 7 p.m.

“I’m so thrilled to join Dr. Boehm in support of raiseRED. As a leader of student-athletes, it’s exciting to see athletics and academia work in conjunction for such a worthy cause,” said Walz. “I encourage all of our students to join us at the KFC Yum! Center on Thursday night to cheer on our student-athletes and help us raise money for raiseRED.”

“I’m delighted to partner with Coach Walz to help our students raise money to end pediatric cancer,” said Boehm. “I have been a proud supporter of raiseRED since my son was a student here and am so excited to support this cause. Students can attend a great basketball game, support their fellow student-athletes, and contribute to raiseRED. What could be easier?”

“We are so thankful for this partnership,” said Mary Baker, a UofL junior and external project coordinator for raiseRED. “It’s incredible to see athletics and academics coming together to support student organizations like raiseRED, as well as the Louisville community.”

When the No. 4 Cardinals host No. 3 Connecticut on Thursday, it will mark the first time since 2014 that the former conference foes have squared off at the KFC Yum! Center. 

Louisville is averaging 8,823 fans per game this season, which ranks third in the country.

In the past five years, raiseRED has raised over $1.8 million dollars to support the Louisville community. raiseRED’s fundraising culminates in an 18-hour dance marathon that runs from 6 p.m. Feb. 22 until noon Feb. 23.

To donate or learn more, go to raiseRED.org