FARMVILLE, Va. -- Dr. Matt Lucas '94 has seen plenty of Longwood basketball games, from his days as a student to the last 17 he has spent as a professor.
 
He was fortunate to cheer on a winning Division II squad from the student side of Willett Hall, and now see that success begin to be repeated at the Division I level. But more fulfilling than any win on the court is seeing students from his health and physical education classes spot him in the stands and give him a wave.
 
"I'll hear someone yell 'hey, Lucas!' and give me a thumbs-up or a wave," he said. "It's a really great feeling to know that you're making a positive impact on a young person's life."
 
Lucas is one of 11 professors from across the university who will be honored at Wednesday's women's basketball game as a professor who has made an impact on the players' lives. Players were asked to identify one faculty member who has gone above and beyond to help them.
 
"It's a real honor to be singled out like this," said Lucas.
 
Over the years, Lucas has forged deep connections with athletes on the basketball team and beyond. He runs sports leagues for area children with disabilities called Buddy Ball, and athletes are commonly among the student volunteers who run, play, dribble, and shoot with the children.
 
"A lot of the time college athletes don't understand that they are really heroes to these kids," said Lucas. "It means the world to them for athletes to come out, especially in uniform, and play sports with them."
 
The Lancer women square off against USC Upstate at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 in Willett Hall. Lucas and the other nominated professors will be honored at halftime.