ROCKLIN, Calif. – The 17th annual Bill Holtz Warrior Classic is set to tipoff next weekend, and with that comes a reminder of the meaning behind the tournament. In partnership with the ALS Association, Jessup will be raising money for ALS research throughout the weekend as we honor a family with ties deeply rooted in Jessup Athletics.
 
The Bill Holtz Warrior Classic honors the memory of Bill Holtz, the university's first shot clock operator for Jessup's home basketball games. Holtz passed away in 2011 after a two-and-a-half-year battle with ALS. The weekend, entering its 17th rendition aims to help those who battle the disease as well.
 
Jessup will donate 100 percent of all ticket sales from the three-day event to the ALS Association. A special table will also be set up for fans to learn more and to donate in person. If you would like to make an online donation, click HERE.
 
The Warriors will do their part to raise awareness of ALS, as Friday night will be ALS Awareness Night. Matching the red colors of the ALS Association logo, the Jessup men's basketball team will be wearing their red uniforms. Fans are encouraged to wear red for the first ever Red Out in Warrior Arena history.
 
In attendance for the weekend will be someone close to Bill Holtz, his son Chris. Chris Holtz is the Warriors' statistician, placing him at the scorer's table or press box for virtually every home game the Warriors will play, with next weekend being no different.
 
"My father's job in life, whether in his profession or through his involvement in the church, was to help people," says Chris. "With his passing and the continuation of this tournament in his honor, he is still helping people in whatever way occurs."
 
The Holtz family has continued to be a voice and advocate for those who battle ALS, hoping that one day, a cure can be found. But for now, they look at this weekend as a way to give hope to anyone who personally, or through the extension of family, has been affected by ALS.
 
Holtz added, "On a personal level, this tournament means the world to me that my father is being honored in such a way. Going deeper it gives me a level of satisfaction that, quite possibly, one of two things may occur. The first thing is that someone, God forbid, has ALS or their family member has ALS, and they will be able to find resources and/or tools to help them. The second thing is that someone coming to the tournament, whether it be participant or fan, maybe in a medical or research field of some sort and be able to help find a cure to the hell that is ALS."
 
Teams from around the nation will flock to Warrior Arena during the first weekend of November. Women's action will see Menlo, Westcliff, and Antelope Valley come to town. On the men's side, Menlo, Southern Oregon, and Montana State-Northern will be in action.
 
It all starts the afternoon of Thursday, November 2, when Menlo and Antelope Valley tipoff at 1 p.m. The final game of the weekend will be the Jessup men squaring off with Southern Oregon on Saturday at 7 p.m.
 
Tickets for the weekend are on sale now, and fans can secure them by clicking HERE.
 
More information on the ALS Association:
 
The ALS Association is the largest private funder of ALS research in the world. The Association funds global research collaborations, provides assistance free of charge for people with ALS and their families through our nationwide efforts and certified clinical care centers, and advocates for better public policies for people with ALS. The ALS Association builds hope and enhances the quality of life while urgently searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about The ALS Association, visit our website at www.als.org.
   
Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).