MADISON, Wis. – For Wisconsin men's basketball's three games during the week of Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, Greg Gard and his staff will celebrate the Coaches vs. Cancer event "Suits and Sneakers" by wearing special sneakers painted by children battling cancer at the American Family Children's Hospital (AFCH). 

Coaches vs. Cancer brings the power of basketball and community together to slam dunk cancer and other childhood illness. This nationwide initiative, a team effort between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, rallies coaches and fans to raise awareness, advocate for healthy living, and fund the fight against cancer.

The fight against cancer is personal for Gard and his family. In 2016, Gard and his wife, Michelle, partnered with the UW Carbone Cancer Center to launch Garding Against Cancer. This fundraising initiative has raised over $9 million in 8 years to support cancer research and patient care across the entire state of Wisconsin. 

In January 2025, the Wisconsin men’s basketball team made memories that will last a lifetime at the American Family Children’s Hospital. The team met the incredible young artists who designed their game-day sneakers—each pair a masterpiece with a story.

Fast forward to the Badgers' game against Nebraska on Sunday, Jan. 26. With the staff decked out in these one-of-a-kind kicks, the Badgers crushed Nebraska, 83-55. The highlight? A heartwarming standing ovation as patients from the Children’s Hospital took center court, reminding everyone what this game is really about: hope, courage and community.