Notre Dame men's hoops adds exhibition game with Holy Cross

Notre Dame's preseason slate just added a new opener.

The Irish will host Holy Cross College on Friday at 7 p.m. in Purcell Pavilion. Proceeds from the exhibition game will support hurricane relief efforts.

The NCAA approved a waiver for Friday’s exhibition game. The proceeds will be directed towards the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program, which was founded in 1993.

Specifically, the donations generated on Friday will be earmarked for St. Catherine of Siena, a Catholic elementary and middle school in Port Arthur, Texas. The school suffered extensive damage because of Hurricane Harvey with repairs needed to the HVAC system, roof and gym floor.

The event will be a non-ticketed exhibition and will be free to enter. Further details of how donations will be gathered and accepted will be announced later this week.

“As soon as the NABC discussed this opportunity, I knew it was something that we needed to do,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said in a statement.

“The recent weather events across the country have put a lot of people in need and our ability to lend aid with an extra exhibition game is a win-win for everyone involved. Our players will get an opportunity to compete against a different team as we get ready for the challenging season ahead.

"Holy Cross College will get to experience a game in Purcell Pavilion. Our fans who will be in town for a big athletics weekend will get a chance to see us compete.

“Most importantly, we will be able to help our ACE program and one of its parishes recover from (Hurricane) Harvey.”

Friday's game will be one of three exhibition contests in Notre Dame's preseason schedule. The Irish open the regular season against DePaul in Chicago on Nov. 11.