A Game for a Cause
CareSource and the University of Dayton will stage a charity basketball exhibition on Saturday, October 17, at the iconic UD Arena, pitting the Dayton Flyers against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a matchup designed to shine a spotlight on adolescent and young adult mental health.
All net proceeds from ticket sales are earmarked for Jay's Light, the foundation created in memory of Jayda Grant, and will be distributed to a network of local organizations working on suicide prevention and mental‑health support for teens and young adults.
The game is the latest milestone in a four‑year partnership between CareSource and the university that seeks to leverage the reach of college basketball to foster dialogue around mental‑health resources and to fund critical programs for vulnerable youth.
Dayton head coach Anthony Grant, together with his wife Chris, have become outspoken advocates for mental‑health awareness after the loss of their daughter Jay in 2022; they credit CareSource’s ongoing support as a cornerstone of the effort to provide tangible resources to families in need.
Voices from the sidelines
Scott Markovich, CareSource Executive Vice President, said the company is proud to continue a collaboration that “uses the universal language of college basketball to bring people together for mental‑health awareness,” underscoring the shared commitment to create lasting impact beyond the hardwood.
Coach Grant reflected on the personal motivation driving the initiative, noting that “the memory of Jay fuels our desire to ensure that no other family faces the same silence,” and highlighting the importance of accessible mental‑health resources for young adults.
Micah Shrewsberry added that the event offers a unique platform to “normalize discussions about mental health” and to direct attention toward community programs that provide counseling, peer support and crisis intervention.