Advertisement

It’s V Week: How to watch Jimmy V Classic games, Valvano’s ESPY speech and more

Kimberly Cataudella
·4 min read

The 15th annual V Week — a week that celebrates the legacy of former NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano while raising money for cancer research — kicks off on Giving Tuesday.

Learn more about Valvano’s legacy, how to watch the Jimmy V Classic basketball tournament and famous ESPY speech, and how to donate to the V Foundation.

Who was Jim Valvano?

Jim Valvano was the head coach of NC State’s men’s basketball team from 1980 to 1990. He led the team to win the 1983 NCAA championship.

  • The team also won the ACC Tournament Championship in 1983 and 1987.

  • Valvano was honored as ACC Coach of the Year in 1989.

  • After coaching, Valvano became a broadcaster for ESPN and ABC Sports.

Valvano’s cancer diagnosis

Valvano was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma — which was discovered in his spine and later spread to his hips, legs and back — in June 1992, when he was 46 years old.

He won the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the first-ever ESPY Awards in 1993, and died month later.

His tear-jerking “Don’t Ever Give Up” acceptance speech is replayed on ESPN every year during V Week.

What is the V Foundation?

Valvano co-founded the V Foundation for Cancer Research in 1993. He announced the beginning of the foundation during his memorable ESPY speech.

According to The V Foundation, the organization has awarded over $200 million in cancer research grants.

  • The Foundation has funded a collaboration between N.C. State’s Veterinary School and the Duke Cancer Institute in its Canine Comparative Oncology project. It has provided over $1.4 million to support research that is working to find answers for human and canine cancers.

  • The V Foundation has also provided more than $600,000 for Victory Ride grants — all funded at Duke, UNC and Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center.

If you’d like to donate to The V Foundation

Donations are tax deductible, and there are many ways to give. Get more information at www.v.org.

Because of an endowment fund, 100% of direct donations benefit cancer research and programs.

How to watch Valvano’s ‘Don’t Give Up’ speech

If you’ve seen Valvano’s speech, you’ve never forgotten it. If you’ve never seen it, you should.

“It’s called ‘the roadblock’ because ESPN stops all their other programming and plays this speech,” said Katie Sweet, the V Foundation’s director of communications.

“I’ve been in a restaurant when it came on, and everybody stops what they’re doing. Whether you’re seeing it for the first or fortieth time, you just drop everything to listen.”

You can watch Jimmy V’s famous ESPY speech this week.

  • Where: ESPN

  • Time: 7 p.m.

  • Date: Wednesday, Dec. 1

How to watch the 2021 Jimmy V Classic tournament

The Jimmy V Classic is a basketball tournament that raises money and awareness for the V Foundation.

The men’s and women’s tournament will each include two matchups.

Here’s how to watch.

Men’s Jimmy V Classic:

  • Tuesday, Dec. 7: 7 p.m. Tennessee vs. Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden.

  • Tuesday, Dec. 7: 9 p.m. Syracuse vs. Villanova at Madison Square Garden.

  • Tickets start at $60 for both games. (More: espnevents.com/jimmy-v-classic/tickets/)

  • Both games will air on ESPN.

Women’s Jimmy V Classic:

  • Sunday, Dec. 12: 1 p.m. Kentucky at Louisville. Tickets start at $12.

  • Sunday, Dec. 12: 3 p.m. Maryland at South Carolina. Tickets start at $6.

  • Both games will air on ESPN.

What is V Week?

V Week kicks off on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30, and runs until Dec. 10.

Over the course of this 10-day initiative, special events and partnerships will take place all over the country to raise money for cancer research.

Here are some events on the schedule:

  • Giving Tuesday: The week kicks off on Nov. 30 with a global day of giving.

  • ESPN Roadblock: Tune in to ESPN networks on Dec. 1 to see an inspirational message from the late Jim Valvano and surprise guests at 7 p.m.

  • UFC Fight Like Hell Night: UFC is making a $100,000 contribution on Dec. 4 to support cancer disparities through the Stuart Scott Fund.

  • The 27th annual Jimmy V Men’s Classic: The men’s college basketball doubleheader returns to Madison Square Garden on Dec. 7 in New York City, and it will feature an opening game between Tennessee and Texas Tech, followed by a primetime showdown between Syracuse and Villanova.

  • The 27th annual Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic: The women’s events areon Dec. 12. Kentucky will play at Louisville, and Maryland will play at South Carolina.

  • #VStrongBaby: With the news of Dick Vitale’s cancer diagnosis, the V Foundation is showing him support and encourage others to do the same via social media.

  • Alpha Phi Alpha: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the nation’s oldest intercollegiate fraternity for African-American college men, is partnering with the V Foundation to combat inequities in cancer. APA’s Give and Go to Fight Cancer campaign encourages donations to the Stuart Scott Fund and supporters to go get screened for cancer.