University of Memphis Athletics
Hoops for St. Jude® Tip Off Classic Returns to FedExForum Oct. 27
Sep 02, 2025 | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Hoops for St. Jude® Tip Off Classic is back for another year, bringing together big-name programs, hometown pride and a powerful cause. On Monday, Oct. 27, FedExForum will host the 2nd-annual event, featuring a men's and women's basketball doubleheader that pits the University of Memphis against Vanderbilt and Arkansas, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®.
For the second-straight year, both University of Memphis programs will be part of the preseason doubleheader, showcasing an evening of basketball and purpose.
Game schedule (Central Time | airing on ESPNU):
Earlier in the evening, Alex Simmons and the Memphis women's team will face in-state rival Vanderbilt in the programs' first meeting since December 2017. The Tigers and Commodores have squared off 16 times in history.
Last year's inaugural Tip Off Classic drew more than 8,000 fans as Memphis battled North Carolina and South Carolina in support of the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.
"The Tip Off Classic is more than a game. It's a powerful expression of what can happen when a community unites to hoop for hope," said Ike Anand, President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "It's deeply meaningful to witness these incredible college programs take the court not just to compete, but to champion the mission of St. Jude. The energy in FedExForum, the pride of Memphis, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt, and the generosity of fans fuel the work St. Jude does for children with catastrophic diseases both here and around the world."
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – so they can focus on helping their child live. Funds raised through events like the Tip Off Classic help St. Jude extend that support globally, including recent initiatives to deliver childhood cancer medicines at no cost to five countries, part of a larger plan to reach 120,000 children in 50 countries.
Ticket Information
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80% in the United States, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.
Learn more about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Athletics, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the department's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
For the second-straight year, both University of Memphis programs will be part of the preseason doubleheader, showcasing an evening of basketball and purpose.
Game schedule (Central Time | airing on ESPNU):
- 5:30 p.m. – Memphis Women's Basketball vs. Vanderbilt
- 8:00 p.m. – Memphis Men's Basketball vs. Arkansas
Earlier in the evening, Alex Simmons and the Memphis women's team will face in-state rival Vanderbilt in the programs' first meeting since December 2017. The Tigers and Commodores have squared off 16 times in history.
Last year's inaugural Tip Off Classic drew more than 8,000 fans as Memphis battled North Carolina and South Carolina in support of the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.
"The Tip Off Classic is more than a game. It's a powerful expression of what can happen when a community unites to hoop for hope," said Ike Anand, President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "It's deeply meaningful to witness these incredible college programs take the court not just to compete, but to champion the mission of St. Jude. The energy in FedExForum, the pride of Memphis, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt, and the generosity of fans fuel the work St. Jude does for children with catastrophic diseases both here and around the world."
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – so they can focus on helping their child live. Funds raised through events like the Tip Off Classic help St. Jude extend that support globally, including recent initiatives to deliver childhood cancer medicines at no cost to five countries, part of a larger plan to reach 120,000 children in 50 countries.
Ticket Information
- Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 9 at noon CT and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com and by visiting the FedExForum Box Office, with 100% of proceeds benefiting St. Jude. One ticket purchase allows for entry to both games on Oct. 27.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80% in the United States, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.
Learn more about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Athletics, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the department's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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