SAU Sports Information
Southern Arkansas University Athletics has announced that it will host its fifth-annual Community Night on Thursday, Feb. 22 inside the W.T. Watson Center with free admission to the general public for both games against Henderson State. This year's community night will honor the boys and girls Upward Basketball programs of Magnolia.
Special recognition of boys and girls Upward Basketball players will take place at halftime of the women's game, and kids in attendance will receive a free gift courtesy of Mulerider Athletics.
In addition to the recognition of Upward Basketball, Mulerider Athletics is also making one final push to meet its goal of raising $8,000 in order to grant the wish of a local child through the Make-A-Wish® program.
With that, members of SAU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be passing around a donation bucket in-between the first and third quarters of the women's game and at the eight-minute media timeout of both halves of the men's game.
"Community Night is a special event that we enjoy offering each basketball season, and we are really excited about including our local Upward Basketball programs this year and we are also eager to tie in our Make-A-Wish initiative in hopes that we can reach 100 percent of our $8,000 goal," remarked SAU Director of Athletics, Steve Browning. "The support of our community in general is always tremendous, but this year that relationship has grown to a new level at our basketball games and it has been reflected in the home-court advantage and atmosphere that they have created."
"As our relationship with our community continues to grow, it is important that we do so through the youth of our community," added Browning. "Honoring our Upward Basketball programs during one of our basketball games is a natural connection and a chance for our athletes and coaches, as role models, to make a lasting impact on those kids that are beginning to find a passion for basketball. We look forward to a great turnout!"
Scheduled tip-off on Feb. 22 is 5:30 p.m. for the women's contest and 7:30 p.m. for the men's game.