Delaware "Purple Coats" Return in Support of Mental Health Awareness

Team, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware, Office of the Lt. Governor Join Together for Second Annual Event

WILMINGTON – FEB. 7 – The Delaware Blue Coats and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware will host Mental Health Awareness Night on Saturday, Feb. 11 when the team hosts the Wisconsin Herd at Chase Fieldhouse at 6:00 p.m. The Philadelphia 76ers NBA G League Affiliate will become the “Purple Coats” for this special day to raise awareness of mental health resources available in Delaware, as well as the contributing factors of substance abuse.

The team’s game-worn Purple Coats jerseys will be autographed and auctioned to fans online, now accessible HERE and via the team’s social media platforms. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Delaware Goes Purple.

A portion of all single game ticket sales will also be donated to the cause. Tickets are on sale now.

“Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware is proud to partner again this year with the Delaware Blue Coats, the Lt. Governor’s office and Delaware Goes Purple. Mental health is an important part of overall well-being. By raising awareness and reducing stigma, we can help improve the health of our community,” said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.

This is the second annual Mental Health Awareness Night. The partnership’s inaugural event took place during the 2021-22 NBA G League season in an April 1 win over the Wisconsin Herd at Chase Fieldhouse.

“As a nurse, and the Chair of the Behavioral Health Consortium, I know that mental health challenges and substance use disorders do not discriminate. They affect every zip code and generation in our state. That is why it is critical for us to raise awareness, so no one feels like they have to struggle alone," said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Ph.D., R.N. “Through this event, we are helping spread a message of hope and recovery. Thank you to the Blue Coats, Delaware Goes Purple, and Highmark Delaware for making that possible."

“We think of our basketball court as a stage for this community,” said Blue Coats President Larry Meli. “Mental health deserves our collective attention. We are proud to partner with Highmark Delaware, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and Delaware Goes Purple to use the platform of sport to further galvanize our fans and shed light upon resources available to them and their loved ones.”