“I lost my dad at a very early age”: Dan Hurley’s wife Andrea leads UConn’s annual Coaches vs Cancer game with heartfelt speech

Dan Hurley's wife Andrea Hurley urged fans to showcase their support for UConn Huskies' upcoming Coaches vs. Cancer game on Jan 29. In the program's latest video on X, she explains the significance of the game, her personal battles with the disease and the growing support for the event.

"This Coaches vs. Cancer game is such a special game to me," she said. "It's for all those who are affected directly or indirectly by cancer. Everybody knows my story, I lost my dad at a very early age, 52 years old and he missed so much.

"Unfortunately, we've all been affected by this terrible disease whether directly or indirectly. This button program shows that no one fights alone. Every year we see more and more buttons around the arena. It's to honor those who have been touched by cancer."

Dan Hurley's Huskies will play the DePaul Blue Demons on Jan. 29 at the XL Center. Fans are encouraged to mark their presence early and take part in the flashlight ceremony. The doors to the arena will be open at 6:30 pm.

Andrea Hurley, who will spearhead memorial button-making for the fans, will be available on the concourse near section 124.

The Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide event to empower local communities, basketball players, coaches and fans to make a difference in the fight against cancer. Its goal is to promote healthy lifestyle practices, spread awareness about the disease and raise funds.

Andrea Hurley led Dan Hurley's players to support the Connecticut Children’s Foundation

Andrea Hurley also supports the Connecticut Children’s Foundation and has spearheaded multiple awareness campaigns for the nonprofit. In an Instagram post in December, she shared that she helped raise over $2.6 million for the pediatric hematology-oncology department with the patients, doctors, nurses and board members.

She also led Dan Hurley's players to visit the patients and staff members. Solo Ball, Hassan Diarra, Jaylin Stewart, Ahmad Nowel and other players interacted and posed with fans.

The University of Connecticut also has a longstanding tradition of supporting the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, with their previous visit coming in January 2024.

UConn also organizes HuskyTHON, where students raise funds through dancing for 18 hours straight each year in August.