Information provided by the USD Toreros

The men’s basketball programs at the University of San Diego and Arizona State University will team up for a charity exhibition game on Wednesday, Nov. 1, to raise money for Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico. The game between the Toreros and Sun Devils will take place at 7 p.m. in USD’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.

The University of San Diego and Arizona State University together requested and received a waiver from the NCAA to play the extra exhibition game with the sole purpose to benefit hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.

Tickets for the exhibition game between the Toreros and Sun Devils are $10 for general admission and $5 for children and USD students. Tickets can be purchased online or on game day at the Jenny Craig Pavilion ticket window. All money collected through ticket sales will be donated to Catholic Charities, USA, for Hurricane Maria relief.

“We are committed to helping the people of Puerto Rico at this very difficult time,” said USD Head Basketball Coach Lamont Smith. “Having Puerto Rican native Jose Martinez on our team gives our university a heartfelt connection to our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico.”

“This is a special opportunity for all of us at USD to live our Changemaking mission and to positively impact the lives of those suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria,” added USD Executive Director of Athletics and Vice President Bill McGillis.

According to Smith, Martinez didn’t hear from his family for one week after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. They were finally able to contact him on a government-issued cell phone to tell him they had survived. His family, like most of the residents of Puerto Rico, is still without clean drinking water and electricity.

USD and ASU have met twice before on the basketball court with the Sun Devils winning both games that were played in Tempe – 89-70 (2003-04) and 59-56 in overtime (1991-92).  USD head coach Lamont Smith was an assistant coach for four years at ASU on Herb Sendek’s staff from 2008-2012.

For more information please call the USD ticket office at (619) 260-7550, or visit: usdtoreros.com.

To donate directly to Catholic Charities, USA visit: catholiccharitiesusa.org.