June 21, 2010

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University Director of Athletics Chris May announced today that the Billiken volleyball program has received a major gift from Dr. John W. Hamilton, a professor in the University's John Cook School of Business. The gift, which will fund the annual Marcia E. Hamilton Active Ankle Challenge at Chaifetz Arena, honors the memory of Hamilton's wife, who recently lost her battle with breast cancer.

"It is truly an honor for the Saint Louis University athletics program to partner with the Dr. John Hamilton family in remembering the late Marcia E. Hamilton," May said. "The entire athletics program and the women who play volleyball for SLU are humbled by this wonderful opportunity to honor Mrs. Hamilton, while at the same time promoting breast cancer awareness. We look forward to the Marcia E. Hamilton Active Ankle Challenge being the start of a long-term celebration of Mrs. Hamilton's spirit, SLU women's athletics and cancer awareness."

The purpose of the gift is to honor Marcia Hamilton's legacy while also increasing breast cancer awareness and supporting the SLU volleyball program. Funds will be used to establish the Marcia E. Hamilton Active Ankle Challenge, with the inaugural tournament slated for Sept. 3-4, 2010, at Chaifetz Arena. The Billikens will host Creighton, Iowa and Wake Forest in the six-match tournament.

"I want to thank Dr. Hamilton for his generous donation to the SLU volleyball program," Billiken head coach Anne Kordes said. "I am grateful that he has chosen our program to honor the memory of his beloved wife Marcia. We could not be more excited for the opportunity to host an event that will serve as a memorial for Marcia as well as bring awareness to cancer research."

SLU opens the 2010 campaign Aug. 27 at the IPFW Volleyball Invitational in Fort Wayne, Ind. The Bills will square off against 2009 NCAA Tournament teams UW-Milwaukee and host IPFW before closing tournament action against 20-match winner Tulsa. Following the Marcia E. Hamilton Active Ankle Challenge, Saint Louis heads to Springfield, Mo., for the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational Sept. 10-11. The field includes host Missouri State, Utah and 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Oklahoma.

Before the start of Atlantic 10 Conference action, SLU hosts the Billiken Invitational Sept. 17-18 at Chaifetz Pavilion. The Bills welcome three 20-match winners from a year ago in Marshall, Western Kentucky and 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Lipscomb.

League play begins Sept. 24, when Saint Louis hosts NCAA Tournament qualifier and reigning A-10 co-champion Dayton. The A-10 Championship, which will feature the top six teams from the regular season, will be held Nov. 19-21 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Billikens will also battle Middle Tennessee State, another 2009 NCAA Tournament participant, Nov. 27 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Saint Louis Billikens Women's Volleyball

• VB: Billiken Invitational