Nittany Lions to Face Dayton in Charity Exhibition Game for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State men’s basketball team will travel to Dayton on Sunday, October 19, for a charity exhibition game aimed at raising awareness and support for adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention.
The game, in partnership with CareSource, will begin at 2 p.m. and all proceeds from ticket sales will go towards supporting Jay’s Light, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, and mental health programs for University of Dayton students. Additional events and initiatives leading up to the game will be announced in the fall. 
Dayton head coach Anthony Grant and his wife Chris have been dedicated to promoting mental health awareness after the tragic loss of their daughter, Jay, in 2022 at the age of 20 due to mental illness. Their efforts, under the banner of “bringing purpose to the pain,” aim to provide resources for families, teens, and young adults affected by mental health challenges.
“We are thrilled to partner with the University of Dayton, Coach Grant, and CareSource to support such a vital cause,” said Penn State’s Mike Rhoades, Peter and Ann Tombros Endowed Head Coach. “Raising awareness, encouraging dialogue, and improving access to mental health services is critical. Coach Grant’s courage in sharing his family’s story to turn their tragedy into a force for good is truly inspiring, and we’re honored to be part of this event.”
This will be Penn State’s first visit to UD Arena since the 1997-98 season, when the Nittany Lions and Flyers played in the NIT.
The Jay’s Light fund, established in memory of Jayda Grant, will help advance mental health and suicide prevention efforts for adolescents and young adults. The fund will support local organizations and programs aligned with its mission.
To learn more about the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation or to contribute, visit their website.
Penn State enters the 2025-26 season under Rhoades’ leadership, following a successful two years with a high-scoring offense that set a single-season program record of 79.1 points per game in 2024-25. With a strong returning core and the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history, Rhoades is poised for continued success.
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