Mesa Legend - SPORTS - Basketball teams shoot to assist in relief efforts

October 25,2005
SPORTS
Basketball teams shoot to assist in relief efforts

Andrew Kupitz
Mesa Legend

Nearly two months after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast states, Mesa Community College still isn’t finished doing its part in the hurricane relief process.
Helping out in the hurricane relief efforts this time, will be the men and women’s basketball teams from MCC and Chandler-Gilbert Community College as they play a pre-season exhibition game.
It is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2005, at Mesa’s very own Theo J. Heap Gymnasium. It is to raise money specifically for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s athletic program, one of the many colleges severely affected by Hurricane Katrina.
There will be a five dollar charge to enter, with additional donations accepted. More importantly, MCC and Chandler-Gilbert will not be the only ones participating in charity basketball games.
Other teams in the region also holding charity games are: Phoenix College hosting Pima Community College and Scottsdale Community College hosting Eastern Arizona Community College. The money they receive will be sent to the NJCAA relief fund that will then be dispersed between 10 to 12 community colleges affected by the hurricane.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, a member of region 23 in the NJCAA, suffered dearly. The press box to the football stadium was destroyed and there was also major damage to the roof of the gym.
The hurricane relief basketball game was the idea the DAC, a group of the athletic directors from various Maricopa County Colleges. The group as a whole decided immediately that it was a great idea and soon had it approved from the NJCAA.
However, there were guidelines set by the NJCAA that needed to be met before the basketball game could take place.
Some of those guidelines are there is no winner or loser, all of the statistics of the game will not count, and all proceeds must go to the relief fund. It was also recommended by the NJCAA that money be collected for donations at other athletic events.
Steve Goodman of the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference has arranged a group of referees to officiate the game for free and the game operations will be handled free of charge as well.
The games do not count towards MCC or Chandler-Gilbert’s pre-season records and is only considered an additional pre-season game to the four already scheduled. Instead the charity basketball games will be played strictly for the entertainment of those who attend and the Mississippi West Gulf College rebuilding finances.
MCC Coach Robin Schamber’s women will play their game at 5:30 p.m. against the Chandler-Gilbert women’s team, and directly following the Ladies T-bird’s game, will be Coach Alton Lister’s men playing the Coyotes at 7:30 p.m.
Jeff Mason, Chandler-Gilbert’s athletic director, is spearheading the event. “The goal is to fill the gym, to have fun by involving all students and student athletes, and to make this a community event,” said Mason.