BLOOMFIELD, N.J. - Each year, NCAA institutions come together to participate in a national fundraising initiative, Coaches vs. Cancer, which helps raise funds for cancer research around the United States. This cause has taken on a new meaning for our athletic department here at Bloomfield, with the passing of one of our bravest Bears last winter.

Avery Ernest Ellington Thompson, 17, a talented singer, rapper, songwriter, voice impressionist and film-maker, passed away on Feb. 12, 2014 after a long and valiant battle with leukemia. He was a student at West Orange High School, a nephew of men's basketball head coach, Gerald Holmes and a member of the Bloomfield College Athletics family, serving as a volunteer men's basketball assistant coach during the 2013-2014 season.

Avery is survived by his parents Joshua and Stephanie, his sister, Jaden, as well as a large and supportive extended family and hundreds of friends. All proceeds from Bloomfield College's men's basketball game on Saturday, February 7, 2015 against Goldey Beacom College will be donated to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), Avery Thompson Fund.

As part of the day's activities, both the men's and women's basketball coaching staffs will wear sneakers along with their normal game day attire in support of the postponed Coaches vs Cancer Suits and Sneakers game originally scheduled for January 24th. Come and meet men's head coach Holmes and members of the men's team to include our newest member, 8 year old cancer survivor, Denis Boulos!

Denis and his family were paired with the Bears through Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization that brings together children with life-threatening illnesses and local college athletics teams. Now on the road to recovery, Boulos has already become a staple on the sidelines at Bears home games and will be the Ambassador for the 'We Play For A' game.

We encourage and invite all who can, to attend Saturday's game as we celebrate Avery's life and his impact on not only the Bloomfield College Athletics family, but on all of the lives he touched. Saturday, February 7, 2015 We Play For A.

(Game day admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children/seniors. All proceeds from the game will benefit Coaches vs Cancer initiative and donated to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Avery Thompson Fund)