Pat Skerry knows that it's just as important to preach acceptance of autism as it is to spread awareness.
The disorder hits close to home for the Towson University men's basketball coach, who admitted that he didn't grasp the widespread impact of autism until his son Owen, 7, was diagnosed with it six years ago.
"[I didn't know] nearly enough," Skerry told Sports World News. "I don't know if I wasn't directly affected by it, how aware I would be."
Once Skerry became more aware, he made it a mission to help others do the same.
The coach started the process by wearing the blue Autism Speaks puzzle piece pin during one of his games, but he knew he had to make things bigger and better. He collaborated with current Georgia Tech assistant coach Tom Herrion, whose son also has autism, and with help from their wives, they brainstormed an idea.
The plan was to partner up with Autism Speaks and have coaches throughout college basketball wear the pin during games all across the country. This Friday through Sunday, "Coaches Powering Forward for Autism" will enter its fourth year in an effort to raise funds for Autism Speaks research and initiatives.
The event will also spread awareness and, Skerry hopes, acceptance.
"It's an awareness game," Skerry said. "We do a good job on our campus of making it an inclusive event. My wife Kristen always said at some point we hope it's an acceptance game, not just an awareness game. You have a guy like [Duke University] Coach [Mike Krzyzewski] wearing a pin ... that helps spread the word. It's pretty cool."
In its first year, the effort saw over 80 coaches and broadcasters don the pin. Last year, the number soared to close to 250 coaches and their staffs getting involved.
Some of the other big names joining the effort include John Calipari (Kentucky), Tom Izzo (Michigan State) and Roy Williams (North Carolina).
While he'll look to lead Towson -- located about 10 miles north of Baltimore -- to victory over Elon (N.C.) on Saturday, the former Tufts University basketball standout hopes the event will also help his students and others learn more about autism.
"Certainly there are a ton of people on the [autism] spectrum that are able to really impact society in a positive way," Skerry said. "There can be a lot more people accepting and understanding that. My guys have been great about it. We've been able to educate our student athletes."
The goal of each team is to raise $6,800 -- a figure that reflects the one in 68 children that are affected by the disorder. Skerry likened the coaches participating in the event to "rock stars" for stepping up and helping to spread awareness.
Saturday will be a special day for the Towson coach, as his son and wife will both be watching on during the game.
"[Owen] will be at the game," Skerry said. "We gotta make sure the Wi-Fi is working because he likes having his iPad. This year, he likes sitting in the upper deck, first row, so my wife won't have her normal good seat behind the bench. She's gotta sit up there with him."
Details on the initiative and how to get involved can be found at www.autismspeaks.org/coaches.
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