Dogs Play At Georgia State In CareSource Invitational Supporting Mental Health
August 28, 2025 | Men's Basketball
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Georgia Bulldogs will face the Georgia State Panthers in an exhibition game at the Georgia State Convocation Center on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7:00 p.m. The CareSource Invitational – Atlanta Supporting Mental Health – will be the first time the schools have faced off since 2018.
The Georgia at Georgia State invitational is part of a broader, mission-aligned initiative sponsored by CareSource, a nonprofit managed care organization. The initiative aims at normalizing the mental health conversation nationwide, breaking the stigma, and promoting the overall well-being of children and teens. The final 2025 game will feature Louisville vs. Indiana at Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse arena on December 6.
"We're grateful for the opportunity to play exhibition games, especially one so close to home," Georgia head coach Mike White said. "It's a meaningful way to spotlight mental health – an issue that touches countless lives – and to use our platform to raise awareness and support."
Georgia State's head coach Jonas Hayes echoed the sentiments, "We are excited to be able play Georgia in an exhibition game and help raise awareness surrounding mental health topics. We are thankful to able to bring awareness to support mental health as it impacts so many people."
The contest will feature Hayes coaching against his alma mater. One of the most popular Bulldogs of the 21st century, Jonas was a three-year letterwinner from 2001-04 and was later a member of Georgia's coaching staff for five seasons from 2013-18.
CareSource's support of collegiate basketball games supporting mental health began in 2023 when the University of Dayton hosted Ohio State in a sold-out charity benefit game. The game and events surrounding it raised approximately $500,000 to support adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention initiatives, including Jay's Light. Jay's Light is a fund started by Dayton Coach Anthony Grant and wife Chris to help mothers, fathers, teens, and young adults find the resources to help with mental health struggles. Their daughter, Jay, died in 2022 at the age of 20, as a result of mental illness.
"When CareSource saw the power and impact of the inaugural game and events in Dayton, we immediately felt more people should hear the powerful messages around mental health and breaking the stigma," said Scott Markovich, executive vice president, markets and products at CareSource. "Wellness is a core part of CareSource's mission, and it's an honor to support our communities' health and wellbeing by expanding awareness and resources through these games. We want to make a real, meaningful impact on the communities and members we serve."
Georgia State and Georgia have met eight times during regular season play in a series that dates back to the Bulldogs' 1983 Final Four campaign. Georgia owns a 5-3 edge in those matchups; however, the Panthers won the most recent contest, a 91-67 victory at the 2018 Cayman Islands Classic. Georgia State went on to earn an NCAA Tournament bid later that season. The exhibition will mark the second matchup contested in Atlanta, and the first in the GSU Convocation Center. The Panthers are 1-0 at home after defeating the Bulldogs in the Georgia Dome in 2001.
Tickets for the CareSource Invitational at the Georgia State Convocation Center are available for purchase here.
The Georgia at Georgia State invitational is part of a broader, mission-aligned initiative sponsored by CareSource, a nonprofit managed care organization. The initiative aims at normalizing the mental health conversation nationwide, breaking the stigma, and promoting the overall well-being of children and teens. The final 2025 game will feature Louisville vs. Indiana at Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse arena on December 6.
"We're grateful for the opportunity to play exhibition games, especially one so close to home," Georgia head coach Mike White said. "It's a meaningful way to spotlight mental health – an issue that touches countless lives – and to use our platform to raise awareness and support."
Georgia State's head coach Jonas Hayes echoed the sentiments, "We are excited to be able play Georgia in an exhibition game and help raise awareness surrounding mental health topics. We are thankful to able to bring awareness to support mental health as it impacts so many people."
The contest will feature Hayes coaching against his alma mater. One of the most popular Bulldogs of the 21st century, Jonas was a three-year letterwinner from 2001-04 and was later a member of Georgia's coaching staff for five seasons from 2013-18.
CareSource's support of collegiate basketball games supporting mental health began in 2023 when the University of Dayton hosted Ohio State in a sold-out charity benefit game. The game and events surrounding it raised approximately $500,000 to support adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention initiatives, including Jay's Light. Jay's Light is a fund started by Dayton Coach Anthony Grant and wife Chris to help mothers, fathers, teens, and young adults find the resources to help with mental health struggles. Their daughter, Jay, died in 2022 at the age of 20, as a result of mental illness.
"When CareSource saw the power and impact of the inaugural game and events in Dayton, we immediately felt more people should hear the powerful messages around mental health and breaking the stigma," said Scott Markovich, executive vice president, markets and products at CareSource. "Wellness is a core part of CareSource's mission, and it's an honor to support our communities' health and wellbeing by expanding awareness and resources through these games. We want to make a real, meaningful impact on the communities and members we serve."
Georgia State and Georgia have met eight times during regular season play in a series that dates back to the Bulldogs' 1983 Final Four campaign. Georgia owns a 5-3 edge in those matchups; however, the Panthers won the most recent contest, a 91-67 victory at the 2018 Cayman Islands Classic. Georgia State went on to earn an NCAA Tournament bid later that season. The exhibition will mark the second matchup contested in Atlanta, and the first in the GSU Convocation Center. The Panthers are 1-0 at home after defeating the Bulldogs in the Georgia Dome in 2001.
Tickets for the CareSource Invitational at the Georgia State Convocation Center are available for purchase here.
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