"If you laugh, you think and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." -- Jim Valvano
Jimmy V was a legendary college basketball coach for North Carolina State, who inspired many through his optimistic and positive outlook as a coach and mentor. He founded the V Foundation in 1993 in the last months of his life while battling cancer in order to research a cure for the disease. Since then, more than $200 million in cancer research grants has been awarded nationwide by the V Foundation.
It is in that spirit -- the spirit of hope, optimism and goodwill -- that we are proud to bring you the Jimmy V 24-hour charity stream, or what we're calling Don't Ever Give Up Day. This is a full day of games with ESPN talent, Twitch and gaming personalities and esports pros. MonteCristo and DoA, Naomi Kyle, Arash Markazi, Tyler "FionnOnFire" Erzberger, Rachel Nichols, Jess Brohard, Scott Cole, Tasty Steve and Sajam are just a few of the names coming together to bring Jimmy V's message to you, to help raise money for cancer research, and to have some fun while doing it.
Here's what you need to know:
Where: Watch here: twitch.tv/espnesports // Donate here: The V Foundation
What: A 24-hour live streaming marathon on Twitch.tv to introduce a new audience to, and drive donations for, the V Foundation
Who: High-profile Twitch influencers, esports personalities, traditional sports athletes and ESPN talent
When: 3 p.m. ET Nov. 28 to 3 p.m. Nov. 29
Why: To raise money for cancer research and spread Jimmy V's message to a younger audience
Schedule
Block 1: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Games on tap: Fighting games, League of Legends, sports games
Scott Cole, esports caster, and Jess Brohard
Rachel Nichols, host of The Jump
Marcellus Wiley, from SportsNation
Goldenglue and Matt, from Team Liquid
Marc Spears from The Undefeated
Arash Markazi, ESPN senior writer
David Jacoby, of Jalen and Jacoby
Jared Jeffries and Theo, from Echo Fox
Block 2: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Game on tap: Overwatch
Naomi Kyle, host and gaming personality
MonteCristo, Overwatch League caster
DoA, Overwatch League caster
Susie Kim, esports host, interviewer and personality; esports mom
Paola and Jess Brohard
Block 3: 11 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Games on tap: League of Legends, Rocket League, variety
Ovilee May, NA LCS sideline reporter
Tyler "FionnOnFire" Erzberger, ESPN Esports writer
Axeltoss, Rocket League host, and Jump
AngelsKimi, streamer and personality
Block 4: 3 a.m. - 7 a.m.
Games on tap: Variety hours! Mario games, sports games, Jackbox, and more
Tyler "FionnOnFire" Erzberger, ESPN Esports writer
MANvsGAME and Nathanias
Darin Kwilinski, ESPN Esports senior editor
Block 5: 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Games on tap: Street Fighter V, Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite
Tasty Steve, FGC host and personality
Sajam, FGC host and personality
RIP
Alex Corea
Block 6: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Games on tap: Madden, League of Legends, variety
Tasty Steve, FGC host and personality
Sajam, FGC host and personality
Scott Cole
RIP
Akaadian
Jorge Sedano, of the ESPN LA morning show
LZ Granderson, of SportsNation