SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University's basketball teams will collect money to help with the earthquake relief effort in Haiti during Hoopsters for Haiti at the home games between the Bearcats and Pacific Lutheran University on Friday, Jan. 22. Fans will be able to donate money, which along with a percentage of ticket sales will be contributed to the relief effort in Haiti.
The Willamette women's team will open the doubleheader by taking on Pacific Lutheran at 6 p.m. (PST). The Bearcat men will battle the Lutes in the second game, starting at about 8 p.m. (PST).
The Hoopsters for Haiti project to raise funds is being spearheaded by Willamette men's basketball players Cameron Mitchell (Sr., Post, Portland, OR/Grant HS/U. of Redlands) and Bubba Lemon (Jr., Wing, McMinnville, OR/Tualatin HS/Linfield College). The Athletics Department at Willamette will oversee the the process.
"I was talking to my roommate (Bubba) and we both thought that there had to be something we could do. We are living comfortably, we've just finished playing the game we love, and we were looking at the devastation, the fear and the look of hopelessness on those poor peoples' faces," Mitchell said. "Something stirred up in me and I figured there was something that we could do."
"We as athletes are obligated to be leaders within our communities," Lemon said. "I can't think of a better way to use our gifts and talents as athletes than to use them to help others, especially those who can't help themselves. I would like to challenge all of the high school and college basketball teams in the Salem and Portland areas to participate in our Hoopsters for Haiti fund raiser. Who knows, we just might be able to make a difference."
Fans can donate money at WU's basketball games on Jan. 22 to contribute to the earthquake relief effort in Haiti.
