CareSource adds Arkansas-Kansas to Series of Exhibition Game

Arkansas, Kansas Men’s Basketball Teams join CareSource to Support Local Charities

FAYETTEVILLE, AR (CARESOURCE) – CareSource, a nationally recognized nonprofit health plan, the University of Arkansas and the University of Kansas are excited to announce a charity exhibition basketball game to be played between the two schools on Friday, October 25, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Game time and ticket information will be announced soon.

Arkansas will donate its proceeds from the charity exhibition game to Arkansas Children’s Hospitals. The University of Kansas will donate their proceeds to Fore the Kids Foundation, a partner of Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

Earlier this year it was announced that the University of Cincinnati will host Ohio State on Wednesday, October 18 and the University of Dayton will host Xavier University as part of the exhibition series on October 20.

The series of exhibition matchups that CareSource supports through its sponsorship benefit adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention initiatives, including Jay’s Light and other mental health organizations.

Jay's Light is a fund started by Dayton Coach Anthony Grant and wife Chris to help mothers, fathers, teens, and young adults find the resources to help with mental health struggles. Their daughter Jay died in 2022 at the age of 20, as a result of mental illness. All net proceeds from ticket sales will benefit mental health providers and charities within each school's footprint.

"Wellness is a core part of CareSource’s mission and it’s an honor to support our communities’ health and wellbeing by expanding awareness and resources through these games,” said Scott Markovich, executive vice president, markets and products at CareSource. "We work to make a real, meaningful impact on the communities and members we serve and our work with Jay’s Light is another example of how we are doing that.”

The inaugural game supporting mental health was played in 2023 when the University of Dayton hosted Ohio State in a sold-out contest. The game and events surrounding it raised approximately $500,000 to benefit mental health. 

“My wife Chris and I continue to be inspired by the generosity and support from others who want to join us in helping raise awareness, generate conversation, and increase access to mental health services in all communities,” said University of Dayton Basketball Coach Grant said. “We are grateful for CareSource, all of the head coaches and the partners who have joined this important effort. We can make a difference together with our collective visibility."