The Seattle University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) sponsored the third annual Make-A-Wish Basketball Challenge on Tuesday, April 15, in the Connolly Center North Court, raising over $1,300 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
For the first time in three tries, the faculty/staff team was able to defeat the squad of student-athletes, 41-40. After playing to a tie during regulation and a two-minute overtime, a free throw shootoff was held between faculty/staff coach Tim Leary, Senior Vice President of Seattle University, and student-athlete coach Aaron Yoon, President of the Associated Students of Seattle University (ASSU). Each coach made four of five free throws, invoking a sudden-death free throw shootoff between members of the two teams. In the second round of sudden death, assistant softball coach Brandi Gordon made her free throw, but Lindsey Montoya, a freshman on the women's soccer team, just missed hers, enabling the faculty/staff team to finally taste victory.
The money raised between donations at the door and a Penny War competition in the residence halls benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which since 1980 has granted the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to go somewhere, do something, or meet someone special to brighten their lives and take their minds off their situations, even for a short time. At halftime the teams and audience heard a heartfelt speech from John, a Seattle University graduate, and his daughter Erin, whose wish to spend a week at Disney World was granted by the organization. Over the three years of this event, over $4,300 has been raised to benefit Make-A-Wish.
The night was also filled with games such as the dizzy layup race, a balloon popping contest, and a whipped cream pie eating/gum chewing contest. At halftime members of the volleyball team showed off their ability to choreograph a full dance routine to a rousing ovation. Items such as gift certificates to Ti Amo's and Planet Beach and a miniature Seattle Seahawks helmet signed by star defensive back Marcus Trufant were raffled off throughout the night.
The Seattle University SAAC is comprised of two members of each intercollegiate team. The student-athletes are nominated by their head coaches and are expected to be leaders and exemplary role models for their respective teams as well as to all student-athletes and the general student body.