Jan. 23, 2010

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - La Salle head men's basketball coach Dr. John Giannini will coach in his bare feet on Jan. 23, when the Explorers host Charlotte at 2;00pm to raise awareness for the Samaritan's Feet project and Haiti earthquake relief. Samaritan's Feet has committed to send 100,000 pairs of shoes to Haiti for the victims of the earthquake.

"Service is a primary component of La Salle's mission," Giannini said. "A coach going barefoot for a game is a very small way to support that mission and help the many victims of the Haiti earthquake. Coach Ron Hunter (IUPUI) brought attention to coaching barefoot and Samaritan's Feet in 2007 and many coaches, including Charlotte's Bobby Lutz, have already gone barefoot this year to support Haiti. My good friend Scott Nagy (South Dakota State) adopted a beautiful Haitian girl and has helped lead this cause."

Fans can support this effort by donating to Samaritan's Feet by texting the word SHOES to 85944 to donate $5. The donation will be added to your next cell phone bill. Fans can also visit any of the Finish Line stores to make a donation.

"We are extremely pleased that Coach Giannini has embraced our call to shed his shoes and coach a game in his bare feet," said Samaritan's Feet founder Manny Ohonme. "His and the other coaches involement has moved the Barefoot for Barefeet Initiative to a new level in our ongoing mission to reach the world's neediest children with the gift of shoes."

Samaritan's Feet is a non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives though Shoes of Hope distributions around the world. 300 million people wake up each morning without a pair of shoes to protect their feet from injury and disease. The goal of Samaritan's Feet is to provide shoes to 10 million of these individuals in the next 10 years by teaching them a biblical story of faith, hope, and love, demonstrating those truths in touching by washing their feet, and treating them to a new pair of shoes and socks.