The Seattle University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is presenting the third annual Basketball Challenge, a game between a team of Seattle University student-athletes and a team of Seattle University faculty and staff members, on Tuesday, April 15, beginning at 7 p.m. in the North Court of the Connolly Center, with all proceeds from the game going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
This year SAAC has set a fundraising goal of $2,000 through a suggested donation of three dollars ($3) at the door as well as Penny Wars presently taking place in the residence halls. Last year the event raised $1,800 after collecting $1,200 during the first year of the challenge in 2006.
The student-athletes have defeated the faculty/staff team in each of the first two years of the challenge, but faculty/staff head coach Tim Leary, Senior Vice President of Seattle University, is hoping that the best athletes among the SU faculty and staff will come out and help his squad end the losing streak. Aaron Yoon, President of the Associated Students of Seattle University (ASSU), will be the coach of the student-athlete squad. Throughout the game, there will be contests and raffles, plus the volleyball team will perform a special dance at halftime for the second straight year, and the winner of the Penny Wars will be announced.
Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Within the past year, the national organization has granted children’s wishes to be a National Geographic photographer, an orchestra conductor, a Marine, a firefighter, a supermodel, a lifeguard, and a ballerina.
Any Seattle University faculty or staff member who wishes to join the competition should contact Erin Engelhardt at 296-2598 or engelhardte@seattleu.edu.