PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville men's basketball team will continue to honor its former teammate, AJ Buchanan, in a more permanent fashion starting this year, as the Valiants have changed the name of the program's annual Castle Classic invitational tournament to the AJ Buchanan Classic beginning with this year's weekend, which is scheduled for December 7-8, 2012.
 
“We were looking for a way to honor AJ, support his amazing siblings and continue to raise awareness for children suffering from brain tumors,” head men's basketball coach Pat Scanlon said. “Changing the name of our annual tournament provides that platform, as well as giving us four great games to utilize doing so.”
 
The name change will come with a new vision for the tournament weekend, as the basketball program will host other events that will help to celebrate AJ's life and bring together Manhattanville, alumni, the opposing teams and the community. In addition, the team will have the opportunity to raise funds for families and children battling cancer, with AJ's family being this year's recipient.
 
On Saturday, the team will host a 5K run/walk on campus beginning at 8:30 a.m., using the 5K course set up for the Valiant men's and women's cross country teams. The entry fee for the race is $20 for adults and $1 for students. Following the race, there will be a brunch held in the Castle beginning at 9:30 a.m. The cost for the brunch is $10.
 
Those that participate in either the race or the brunch will receive a special AJ T-shirt. All funds raised from the first annual event will go directly to AJ's family: his sisters, Latoya and Kenisha, and brother Davon.
 
“AJ was a part of our family; we were lucky to be around him as often as we were,” Scanlon said. “Latoya, Kenisha and Davon have remained a part of our family, and always will. The tournament and 5k run/walk will be a fun way to remember AJ and support these three amazing people.”
 
On the court, the action begins at Kennedy Gym on Friday, December 7, when Gordon and Lynchburg face off at 6 p.m. followed by Manhattanville and Berkeley (N.Y.) at 8 p.m. On Saturday, the consolation game is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the championship game will follow at 4 p.m.
 
The team will have special concessions and giveaways during the games this weekend, with all proceeds from the game going to AJ's family as well.
 
For more information on the weekend or to donate to the cause, email head men's basketball coach Pat Scanlon at scanlon@govaliants.com.