Cincinnati, Ohio --- Xavier University and Winthrop University will battle at Cintas Center on Dec. 16 in the return of the Skip Prosser Classic. Winthrop's third-year head coach is Mark Prosser, son of the former Xavier and Wake Forest head coach. XU branded the matchups between Wake Forest and Western Carolina in December of 2019 in the most recent games in the Skip Prosser Classic series. Mark Prosser was the WCU head coach before leaving for Winthrop in 2021.

Wake Forest University and Xavier University began competing in the Skip Prosser Classic in the 2009-10 season, a series honoring the late former head coach of both institutions. Xavier holds a 5-3 record in games branded as the Skip Prosser Classic. Xavier leads 4-3 in seven games played vs. Wake Forest so far and XU won the WCU game in 2019. The first Skip Prosser Classic was played during the 2009-10 season at Wake Forest with the Demon Deacons winning in double overtime.

 "Skip Prosser's impact on the Xavier basketball program and all of college basketball is still alive today," said Xavier head coach Sean Miller. "Skip was a great role model for everyone in the coaching profession. The inclusion of his son Mark and his team in the Skip Prosser Classic tradition is a way to keep his winning legacy front and center where it belongs."

"My family, for decades, has had great affinity for Xavier University and their basketball program," said Mark Prosser. "We are so appreciative of the opportunity that they have provided us, both at Western Carolina, and now at Winthrop, to be a part of this tradition that bears my father's name. He truly loved being a Musketeer!"

Prosser was at Xavier University for 15 years from 1985-2001, including as the Xavier head coach from 1994-2001, and at Wake Forest as head coach from 2001 until his death in 2007. His legacy remains strong at each school.

Prosser posted a 148-65 record in seven seasons as the Xavier head coach and took the Musketeers to four NCAA Tournaments and two NIT appearances. He was 126-68 in six years with the Demon Deacons, taking Wake Forest to four NCAA Tournaments and one NIT.