ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – St. Bonaventure fans have a special opportunity to bid on a unique pair of custom Bonnies sneakers worn by Coach Mark Schmidt as part of the American Cancer Society's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. The auction is set to end at 9:30 p.m. EST on Saturday (Jan. 31). 

Coach Schmidt will be wearing the custom pair of "Bonafied" Adidas Sneakers, featuring St. Bonaventure colors and logos during the Suits & Sneakers Game on Saturday (Jan. 31) vs. George Mason. He will partner Coaches vs. Cancer to auction off those sneakers, with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society. Fans can bid now at http://Bit.ly/BonaSneakers.

Suits & Sneakers Week festivities will also feature special "I play for" placards which will be distributed to fans as they enter the Reilly Center on Saturday. Additionally, instead of the traditional 50/50 raffle, there will be a "Miracle Minute" which will feature St. Bonaventure cheerleaders running through the crowd collecting donations from fans in attendance for American Cancer Society's Cancer Research and Patient Service Programs.

Coach Schmidt and his wife Anita are heavily involved with the American Cancer Society, both serving on the committee of the 716 Golf Classic at Bartlett Country Club in Olean, which takes place annually in August. Between the annual Suits & Sneakers game and the 716 Golf Classic, the Schmidt family along with the St. Bonaventure Community raised more than $600,000 for the Coaches vs. Cancer Initiative in the last six years.

Coaches vs. Cancer is a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Since 1993, this initiative has engaged coaches nationwide to leverage their leadership and influence to support the American Cancer's Society's vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. In over 30 years, coaches have raised over $179 million for the American Cancer Society.

This year's Suits and Sneakers week supporting the Coaches vs. Cancer program with American Cancer Society is set for Jan. 26 until Feb. 1. A majority of the nation's college basketball coaches will don special patches and unique sneakers to raise awareness for cancer screening, funding for cancer research and patient services.