EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University's men's basketball team continued its partnership with the Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center with a first-hand look at the plans for a new facility on Thursday afternoon at the Pocono Medical Center.

The Warriors' squad was recognized for its school record 24-win season, which included a share of the PSAC East regular season championship and second-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament, and for its “Man Up Against Cancer” initiative which is targeting a major contribution through a two-year partnership and community outreach.

The Warriors sold t-shirts throughout the 2009-10 season with “Man Up Against Cancer” on the front and “Sixth Man” on the back, a nod to ESU's sixth man support section. The men's basketball program previously donated $1,500 in 2006 through the sale of “True Warrior” bracelets.

Head coach Jeff Wilson, assistant coach Justin Potts and 14 members of their program met with officials from the Pocono Medical Center to learn about the $33.5 million, 22-month project that will give the Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center one of the top facilities in the country and consolidate its world-class services under one roof.

Dr. Bill Viechnicki, chairman of the Pocono Health Foundation Board of Directors; Steve Cunningham, Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing and Chief Development Officer of Pocono Medical Center; Ricky Durst, Development Associate; and Stacy Goetz, Executive Director of the Oncology Service Line, spoke on the importance of the new complex to the community and the mission to continue to provide top-notch care to cancer patients and their families.

Goetz shared the significance of the “humancentric core” of the new facility which will feature plenty of natural light and open space and have a natural flow throughout the treatment process for its patients. The two-floor building will also have the capability to expand by six additional stories, with adjoining space also available as the needs of the Hughes Cancer Center continue to expand.

Replacing the current 22-year-old, 8,000-square foot building is critical as the Hughes Cancer Center enhances its ability to provide a full line of cancer services to patients throughout the Pocono region and surrounding areas – especially since incidences of cancer in Monroe County are higher than the state and national averages.

Wilson presented Dr. Viechnicki with a basketball autographed by the Warriors to display in the lobby of the new building, symbolizing the commitment that the ESU men's basketball program has made to raising funds and awareness for the Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center.

For more information on the “Man Up Against Cancer” initiative, please contact ESU men's basketball head coach Jeff Wilson at (570) 422-3339 or jwilson@po-box.esu.edu.

For more information on the Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center, please contact the Pocono Health Foundation at (570) 476-3530.