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Rutgers Tough campaign to fight cancer launched with T-shirts, website
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- Rutgers Tough campaign to fight cancer launched with T-shirts, website
The first assist of Rutgers basketball's 2026-27 season is taking place before the ball goes up.
The "Rutgers Tough" campaign to raise money for cancer research, launched in solidarity with head coach Steve Pikiell as he undergoes cancer treatment, is underway with a website for donations and T-shirts available for purchase during the Scarlet Knights' first three home games:
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Friday, Nov. 6 vs. New Haven at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 10 vs. NJIT at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 13 vs. Bryant at 6 p.m.
The 'Rutgers Tough" T-shirt is going on sale for $30, with proceeds to benefit cancer research and treatment
The Nike-designed T-shirt, which costs $30, is red with white an black "Rutgers Tough" lettering and features Pikiell's signature. His players will be wearing those shirts in pregame warmups. Along with wife Kate Pikiell, Pikiell kickstarted the Rutgers Tough campaign earlier this fall with a $250,000 donation to the Rutgers Cancer Institute.
"There's a lot of cancer out there," Pikiell said in an interview last month . "You go for treatment and there's not an empty parking space on a Tuesday at 10 o'clock in in the morning. You want to do something to help other people, and help with research and different ways to solve this problem."
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In his 11thseason at the helm at Rutgers, Pikiell underwent successful surgery to remove a malignant tumor in August and is enduring an intensive chemotherapy regimen over the next few months. He continues to oversee the program and has attended a fair number of Rutgers practices throughout the preseason, but doctors advised him to avoid big crowds while his immune system is suppressed due to the treatment. Associate head coach Brandin Knight, a longtime assistant, runs the team when he's absent and was at the helm for both exhibition contests.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights speaks to players in a timeout against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second half during the Players Era Championship basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 24, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Volunteers defeated the Scarlet Knights 85-60. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
To help publicize the Rutgers Tough initiative, Rutgers Athletics released a stirring video featuring highlights from Pikiell's tenure that is narrated by former Scarlet Knights standouts Corey Sanders, Jacon Young, Geo Baker, Caleb McConnell, Ron Harper Jr., Paul Mulcahy, Cam Spencer, Cliff Omoruyi and Dylan Harper and current guards Tariq Francis and Jamichael Davis.
In addition to the proceeds from T-shirt sales, a fund has been established through the Rutgers Cancer Institute for those fans wishing to donate in support of cancer research. To contribute, visit www.scarletknights.com/RutgersTough .
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Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com .
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers Tough campaign to fight cancer launched with T-shirts, website
