FOREST, Va. --- The Old Dominion Athletic Conference is proud to announce its association with the V University virtual campus supporting cancer research thru the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Events supporting the initiative are scheduled for each basketball-sponsoring member institution.

V University is a collaboration between two non-profit leaders in fundraising -- the V Foundation for Cancer Research and Kay Yow Cancer Fund. All funds raised through V University platforms will benefit the V Foundation and Kay Yow Cancer Fund and will support young scientists researching general cancers and all women’s cancers.

RELATED: About V University | About the V Foundation | About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund

"We were pleased to engage in a dialogue with the V Foundation as it looks to expand Jimmy V Week to Division III," explained ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston. "Our men's basketball programs were very enthusiastic about partnering with the V Foundation and calling attention to the fine work they are performing every day. Each school will find a way to call attention to the V foundation in their identified games with many donating proceeds from the contest to the V Foundation directly."

The V Foundation, most visibly thru its annual "Jimmy V Week" with key collaborator ESPN, and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund resonate with individuals from all arenas in the continued search for better treatments and cures for cancers of all types. The collaboration thru V University brings together two of the most influential charitable organizations in athletics, furthering the growth of their resources and reaching collegiate campuses and audiences in new engaging avenues.

"The women's basketball coaches have been ahead of the curve in the past identifying a Play4Kay date in their schedules," Bankston added. "Recently, the V Foundation started accepting donations from the Play4Kay events to distribute through its centralized research channels. This combination of mission between two wonderful organizations was the impetus we needed to move to a conference-wide partnership."

V University provides a diverse community of students the opportunity to experience inspirational messages from two legendary college basketball coaches: Jim Valvano’s words of determination — “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up”®— and Kay Yow’s influence on positive-thinking — “When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.” The virtual campus provides the support needed to create events of all types and sizes and also includes the latest in peer-to-peer fundraising, via Teamraiser.

Each ODAC member school will sponsor a V Foundation or Play4Kay event associated with a game on their campuses this season. Below are the dates of those contests.

For more information, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow the @odac athletics Twitter and Instagram!