‘Maroon Madness’ to Tip Off L.M. Hoops Season Friday

’s boys and girls basketball season gets started Friday night with the 7th annual “Maroon Madness/Light the Night” benefit—equal parts tailgate party, pep rally, memorial service and team introductions—starting with Principal Sean Hughes manning one of the grills outside the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium at 6 p.m.

The evening’s events benefit Coaches vs. Cancer, a collaboration of the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball coaches. At 7 p.m., the teams, their families and friends, alumni and fans will gather in the bus circle for the "Light the Night" walk.

The walk is “in honor of those who have courageously battled cancer,” and the first 250 walkers to donate $5 or more will receive a Maroon Madness t-shirt (and a glowstick).

After two laps around campus, walkers will head into the Bryant gym for the a full slate of festivities, including:

• The introduction of the boys and girls basketball teams
• An intra-squad scrimmage
• On-court fan contests
• Other live entertainment
• Giveaways and food
• Raffles for Lower Merion merchandise

Among the merch up for grabs is a pair of the latest, highly coveted with the Ace logo (officially, “Nike Zoom Kobe VI”).

The 2011-12 season is dedicated to the memory of Charlie Schwab, class of '82.

The program also promises a special local speaker and other “surprise” guests. 

The event has “taken on much greater meaning this year as we remember and honor a beloved former Ace, Charlie Schwab [class of 1982], who passed away two weeks ago at age 46 after a courageous battle with cancer,” wrote Doug Young, spokesman for the and an assistant coach of the boys team.

“Charlie was a wonderful, caring individual who did so much for young people in this community,” Young said. “He remained a loyal and dedicated Aces fan, and regularly cheered from the sidelines with his three young sons. I came to know Charlie through my role at LM. We both are LM graduates and though we played in different eras, we both shared the bond of Aces hoops and a passion for all things Lower Merion.

“Charlie was wonderfully supportive of our basketball program and was such a powerful, positive force for the children of this community and the Lower Merion family. He will be greatly missed.”

Young said the teams and school will be dedicating Maroon Madness and their Coaches vs. Cancer fundraising efforts to Mr. Schwab.

(Editor’s note: Those who cannot make the event can donate online, via any of the above links, to the various cancer organizations. ... Click for coverage of last year's Maroon Madness night.)