Why Jarod Haase's UAB Blazers wear different colored shoes

If you're like me and haven't been following the University of Alabama-Birminghamd (UAB) basketball team all season, but finally caught a game dring March Madness, you might be wondering, "Why do they wear one green shoe and one white shoe?"

During South Tahoe High graduate Jarod Haase's first season after signing with UAB in the spring of 2012, the team adopted a young cancer survivor named Elijah Seritt. At 19 months old, the young fan had been diagnosed with medulloblastoma. Since then he has been through chemotherapy, two stem cell transplants and 17 surgeries, including two brain surgeries. The now seven-year old is a big part of the UAB program.

When Haase and the team was in Spain last summer they were inspired by a Spanish team that wore different-colored sneakers.

"We wanted to do something to recognize Elijah's courageous battle and his role on our team," Haase told reporter Kyle Newport of Bleacher Report. "We immediately thought wearing two different colors of shoes would cause fans to ask why and give us a perfect opportunity to raise awareness for pediatric cancer."

During UAB's Saturday game against UCLA, young Seritt and his family, complete in their Blazer fan gear, were in the stands rooting on Haase's team. Unfortunately the team ended their season prior to making it to the Round of 16, but they're winners in the eyes of many with their dedication to Seritt and pediatric cancer.