DAYTON, Ohio -- A mid-major, neutral-site doubleheader will be held at University of Dayton (UD) Arena on Monday, Oct. 20, to raise awareness and funds for resources that empower children and teens to thrive. The CareSource Invitational—Dayton Supporting Mental Health features Northern Kentucky University (NKU) facing Ashland at 6 p.m., followed by Wright State taking on Ohio University approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game (around 8:10 p.m.).

This doubleheader is part of a broader initiative sponsored by CareSource, a nonprofit managed care organization, to reduce the stigma around mental health nationwide. Proceeds from the event will benefit Jay's Light, a nonprofit founded in memory of University of Dayton Coach Anthony Grant's daughter, Jayda, who died in 2022 as a result of mental illness. Jay's Light works to raise awareness and provide resources for mental health struggles among youth and young adults.

Ohio Head Coach Jeff Boals echoed this sentiment, stating, "We appreciate the opportunity to play in this exhibition game and play a small role in bringing awareness and support to such an important topic."
 
CareSource's support of collegiate basketball games focusing on mental health began in 2023 when the University of Dayton hosted Ohio State in a sold-out charity benefit game. That event and surrounding activities raised approximately $500,000 to support adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. 
 
"When we saw the energy and impact of the inaugural game in Dayton, we knew this was a powerful platform to raise awareness about mental health," said Scott Markovich, executive vice president of markets and products at CareSource. "Now in our third year, we've seen how this event continues to grow and inspire, reinforcing that wellness is core to our mission. We are honored to support our communities by expanding access to resources and support through these games."
 
As part of this initiative, the upcoming matchups promise to bring excitement and engagement. The game between NKU and Ashland marks the first time the Norse have played the Eagles. The last time Wright State faced Ohio was in 2014, when the Bobcats narrowly defeated the Raiders, 56-54. 
 
Tickets for the CareSource Invitational – Dayton are $20 and are valid for both games. Ohio specific tickets can be purchased here, or enter the promo code BOBCAT when purchasing through the generic Tickermaster link. 
 
About CareSource
CareSource is a national nonprofit managed care organization with over two million members. CareSource administers one of the largest Medicaid managed care plans in the U.S. and offers health insurance, including Medicaid, Marketplace and Medicare products. As a mission-driven organization, CareSource is transforming health care with innovative programs that address the social determinants of health, prevention and access to care. 
 
For more information, visit us at www.caresource.com, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. 
 
About the CareSource Invitationals
The CareSource Invitationals are a series of college basketball exhibition games focused on raising awareness and funds for adolescent and young adult mental health, particularly suicide prevention. Launched in 2023, these events are part of CareSource's commitment to addressing whole-person health in communities through physical engagement and mental wellness messaging.