POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's and women's basketball teams will expand their involvement in community outreach programs during the 2012-13 school year. This season the Bears will team with various organizations, including Sport for Cancer, the Holiday Fund, the Potsdam Neighborhood Center and the Rotary Club to support local people in need.

On Tuesday, Nov. 27 against Clarkson (men's and women's games) and Tuesday, Dec. 4 against St. Lawrence, (men's game) the Bears will hold a food drive for the Potsdam Neighborhood Center. Fans who bring a non-perishable food item to donate will receive free admission to the games and all donations will go toward supporting local families in need.

The Potsdam Bears Care for Kids program will take place Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8 during Potsdam's games against Buffalo State and Fredonia. Fans are encouraged to bring an unwrapped present for donation to the Holiday Fund in exchange for free admission to the men's and women's contests.

In addition, the Bears will spend their entire season raising money for Sport for Cancer. Fans can make a minimum donation of $1 for a chance to win a shirt during halftime of Potsdam basketball games. The teams will also be holding a “Pink Out” promotion during the men's and women's games vs. Geneseo on Feb. 8. Fans can wear the t-shirts, which will be sold for $10 each, during the Time Warner broadcast of the game. The team has set the goal of selling 1,000 shirts in order to provide a large donation to Sport for Cancer and the Kay Yow Breast Cancer Fund.

For more information and updates visit potsdambears.com.

The women's basketball team opens the season at Jerry Welsh Gymnasium tonight at 6 p.m. against Utica College. The men kickoff their campaign against Ithaca College tomorrow night at 8 p.m. in the first round of the North Country Invitational at Clarkson University. Watch all of the Bears home games live online at http://www.potsdambears.com/showcase/.