INDIANAPOLIS -- There was inspiration in the stands Saturday as the Butler basketball team took on Purdue at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in the Crossroads Classic.
Former Butler star Andrew Smith was out of the hospital and in the stands as the Bulldogs took on the Boilermakers.
Smith is fighting an aggressive form of cancer. He has been in the hospital, but he and his wife were able to get to the game Saturday, and it gave Butler some added strength.
Biggest cheer of the game so far: When former @ButlerMBB Andrew Smith was on the big screen. @Samantha44Smith pic.twitter.com/bABJ68olMf
— Dave Furst (@DaveFurst) December 19, 2015
"What a really important and special thing to have Andrew Smith here," Butler Head Coach Chris Holtmann said, "To have him and Samantha here, and I believe his mom and dad here, was a pretty special deal. Our guys knew exactly where he was."
It's game day for our Butler Bulldogs & Andrew and I think it's about time we go cheer them on in person. See you at Bankers Life! #GoDawgs?
— Samantha Smith (@Samantha44Smith) December 19, 2015
Smith's family is trying to get him into a clinical study in an attempt to help him fight cancer.
RELATED | Photo shows Andrew Smith cycling during chemotherapy treatment
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