University of Delaware Department of Athletics and Campus Recreation (DACR) and SL24 UnLocke the Light have signed a three-year contract to host the annual SL24 Basketball Classic tournament in the Bob Carpenter Center, the organizations announced Thursday. 

This year’s SL24 Classic will take place inside the Bob Carpenter Center from Friday, Feb. 5, through Saturday, Feb. 6. The tournament includes seven high school games, which will be followed by Delaware men’s basketball’s home game against Missouri State at 8 p.m. on Saturday evening. All ticket sales from the classic and Delaware men’s basketball game against Missouri State will go back to the UnLocke The Light SL24 Foundation. Tickets will be sold as single-day, general admission passes. Each pass provides access to all games scheduled for that day, including the Delaware vs. Missouri State game on Saturday, Feb. 6. 

“We are excited to deepen our partnership with SL24 to be able to host their annual classic,” University of Delaware Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation Jordan Skolnick said. “This is an organization so close to our hearts and a cause that is incredibly important to us as a department. To be able to help educate and spread mental health awareness, while being able to provide a great atmosphere for high school basketball games is a great opportunity for the entire state of Delaware.” 

SL24 UnLocke the Light was founded in honor of Delaware men’s basketball alumnus Sean Locke, who died by suicide on July 18, 2018. Locke graduated from Delaware in 2016 with a degree in business administration with a sport management minor from the Lerner College of Business and Economics. Locke was a member of the 2014 Colonial Athletic Association Championship team and was a captain of the Fightin’ Blue Hens in his senior year. 

“Hosting the SL24 Classic at the Bob Carpenter Center is incredibly meaningful to our program and the University of Delaware community,” University of Delaware Head Men’s Basketball Coach Martin Ingelsby said. “While I never had the opportunity to coach Sean Locke, his impact and legacy are felt throughout this community. It is an honor to host this event on his home court and play a small part in celebrating his life while raising awareness and continuing such an important conversation around mental health." 

The organization’s mission is to educate, assist and support high school and college students struggling depression, self-injury, suicide and other mental health struggles. SL24 educates through fundraising events, mental health awareness games at local high schools and mental health presentations throughout the state at businesses, high schools, middle schools and university classes. 

"The SL24 Classic had a simple idea: merge sports with an honest conversation about mental health,” SL24 Co-Founder and Sean’s dad Chris Locke said. “From its humble beginnings nine years ago, it has transformed the conversation we as Delawareans have about mental health issues. This tournament is the vehicle to support Sean's House, Sean's Rooms, and Sean's House Sussex. It has allowed those who are suffering to stop suffering in silence.” 

The SL24 Classic was the idea of Sanford and Syracuse basketball standout and friend of Sean, Trevor Cooney. Now a SL24 Board Member, Trevor had the initial belief that athletics could serve as a bridge between a fun competitive community event and important mental health conversations and resources. 

The SL24 Basketball Classic began eight years ago in Sean’s honor to raise awareness for mental health. The funds raised from the classic will help SL24 to keep providing valuable services at Sean’s House Newark and Sean’s House Sussex, including the Peer 24 program and Sean’s Rooms located at St. Mark’s High School, Salesianum School, the Warehouse in Wilmington, St. Georges Vo-Tech, and Hodgson Vo-Tech In addition to the mental health message and basketball, fans and supporters will be able to bid on amazing auction items, participate in raffles for spectacular prizes, and purchase SL24 and Sean’s House merch. 

"For the first time, we’ll have middle school, high school, and college athletes playing in the same SL24 Classic, representing all the age groups we serve,” SL24 Co-Founder and Sean’s sister Kat Locke said. “It’s especially meaningful to bring them together at the Bob, so close to Sean's House. I love thinking about a middle school player watching the college athletes and imagining themselves on that court someday. I want that same student to know that at every stage, from middle school through college, they deserve support and that there are people they can turn to right down the road at 136 West Main." 

View the schedule and purchase tickets at bluehens.com. All ticket sales on both days also go directly back to SL24.