WEST CHESTER, Pa. - East Stroudsburg University men's basketball sophomore Ryan Smith is currently in the midst of an ongoing battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Prior to Wednesday night's games against the Warriors set for 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., the West Chester University basketball programs will host a "Ryan Strong" event to honor the 2018-19 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division Freshman of the Year.
In an effort to provide support for Ryan and his family, Golden Rams athletics will be collecting donations at the entrances of Hollinger Field House on Wednesday. A $2,000 check from Barnaby's, PJ's, New Haven Pizza, Hostetter Grain and WCU athletics will also be presented to ESU head coach Jeff Wilson.
West Chester athletics encourages fans to wear orange on Wednesday night as that is the color that represents leukemia awareness. All participants in the game will be wearing orange t-shirts with the word "RELENTLESS" on the front.
For more information on
Ryan Smith's fight, check out this article written by John Walk of LancasterOnline.
Of course, there will be basketball games during the "Ryan Strong" event.
In the women's game beginning at 5:30 p.m., the Golden Rams (4-7, 6-10) will face the first-place Warriors in a PSAC East showdown.
The men play at 7:30 p.m. in a game that will feature two teams sitting in the top half of the PSAC East standings. The No. 12-ranked Golden Rams are in second place at 14-3 overall and 10-1 in the PSAC. The Warriors, in fourth place, are 9-7 and 5-6.
