BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- On Saturday, the Samford University basketball team joined thousands of participants at the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure held downtown at Lynn Park. The entire Bulldogs' roster took part in the event, as well as many friends and family members of the program.

Samford head coach Bennie Seltzer spearheaded his team's involvement, along with his wife DicQues and youngest son Bennie III.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. It raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. Since its inception in 1983, the Komen Race for the Cure series has grown from one local Race with 800 participants to a global series of more than 120 Races worldwide.

The Komen Race for the Cure is a unique event, designed and implemented to promote positive awareness, education and early detection of breast cancer. It has proved to be an enormously effective way to reach many women and men with the message that breast cancer is not necessarily fatal if mammography and breast self-exam become routine.

As well as being a road race for runners, the Komen Race for the Cure is an emotionally charged event that attracts many first timers and recreational runners. The Komen Race for the Cure is an opportunity for thousands of women, men and their families, running or walking, to spread the breast cancer message within their communities.

The Samford University basketball team prides itself in being active in the Birmingham community. Seltzer and his staff have taken a proactive role in getting the Bulldogs involved with a number of charities and organizations.

Samford's competitive schedule is slated to begin Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. (CT) with a home exhibition game against Miles College.