The Medford High School Mustangs and Somerville High School Highlanders girls’ and boys’ basketball teams will face off once again at the fifth annual Tufts Classic on Sunday, January 14 at the Cousens Gymnasium (161 College Avenue, Medford) on Tufts’ Medford/Somerville campus. 

The girls’ game will tip off at 12 p.m., and the boys’ game will tip off at 1:30 p.m.

“We enjoy providing the Mustang and Highlander basketball players with the opportunity to play at Cousens Gymnasium in front of stands filled with fans from both cities,” said Rocco DiRico, executive director of the Tufts Office of Government and Community Relations. “It’s an honor for Tufts to host these games—and a tradition we look forward to every year.”

Admission to the Tufts Classic is free. Fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable food and household items to support those in need in both Medford and Somerville. Preferred items include canned foods and shelf stable pantry items, in addition to hygiene and household products.

“We cannot thank Tufts University enough for their incredible partnership with both Medford’s and Somerville’s basketball programs,” said Bobby Maloney, director of athletics at Medford High School. “The annual Tufts Classic is a wonderful community event that our student athletes look forward to every year.”

“The Tufts Classic is an opportunity for our student-athletes and community to see what a big-time college athletic facility looks like—and the history of Tufts University makes the atmosphere something very special,” said Stanley Vieira, director of athletics at Somerville High School. “The Tufts students, faculty, and staff at Tufts have been nothing short of amazing and welcoming.”

The winners of each game will receive the Tufts Classic trophy. Players from all four teams will receive specially branded Tufts Classic T-shirts to commemorate their participation in the doubleheader.

Donations of household items and nonperishable food brought to the games will be delivered to Medford’s Mystic Community Market and the Somerville Homeless Coalition’s Project SOUP. 

The Tufts Classic is just one way that Tufts Athletics supports young athletes in the Jumbos’ host communities. During the Fall 2023 semester, the men’s and women’s soccer teams welcomed Medford and Somerville Youth Soccer players at their Youth Days events, and the Tufts golf team hosted a free community youth clinic at their indoor golf facility. 

This month, the Tufts men’s and women’s basketball teams will host “Grow the Game: Youth Days” on January 5 and January 12, respectively, with special game-day activities for local children in grades K-8.