Western Courier

Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Steve Scapardine Blake Antonides, junior science major, will coach the Student team and Vice President of Student Services Garry Johnson will coach the Faculty/Alumni team at Wednesday's game.

Tim Van Alstine, Athletics Director at Western Illinois University, will throw a jump ball into the air at 7 p.m. Wednesday to begin the first-ever Western Illinois University Faculty/Alumni vs. Student Basketball Game.

"I think (the audience) will enjoy watching us old geezers try to take on a bunch of young college kids," said Amy Spelman, Alumni Association director.

Matt Barry, junior elementary education major and representative of Corbin Hall Government, said students should come because they will know many of the players on the teams and the game will be fun, but intense.

"I was very excited at the thought that I would have the chance to play against old people," Barry said. "I loved the idea of being able to do something that I love that will be able to raise money for a good cause."

"This event is a great opportunity for students to see some of their professors outside of the classroom atmosphere," said Matthew Wrage, junior law enforcement and justice administration major and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity president.

Andrew Baker, associate professor in agriculture, said when he was first approached with the idea of playing in the basketball game, he thought he was too old to play. However, he quickly changed his mind.

"You are never too old to enjoy a game of basketball," Baker added.

"I'm really excited about bringing university staff, alumni of Western and our current students together for a fundraiser and as a chance to have an event at a time of the year when everyone is looking for something fun to do," Spelman said.

Some student players are having fun with the fact that their opponents are a lot older than them.

"I think the faculty team will be dressing in retro basketball gear," Barry said. "You can never beat a time where you can see old guys in shorts."

Even Spelman poked fun at her own team.

"I think if we have to bring in the oxygen or a trainer to help one of us, Western Hall will be screaming," she said.

When asked about who will win the game, members of the Faculty/ Staff/Alumni team were confident they will be successful.

"It will go into two overtimes with the faculty prevailing," Baker said.

"I predict a tie score in the last seconds, and one of the faculty/staff/alumni team will throw up an alley-oop and we'll dunk and win," Spelman said.

The student team, however, was just as confident.

"Matched with an even outside presence ... our speed and quickness will allow us to dominate," Barry said.

Wrage added he felt the student team would win as well.

The Macomb High Cheerleaders are scheduled to perform at halftime.

The game is a fundraiser for the Student Alumni Association and a way for the organization to recruit more members. Tickets are $2 for students and $3 for adults. Children under the age of five receive free admission.

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