Nov. 2, 2011
SPRINGFIELD -- A full day of service, support and relief efforts will precede Missouri State University's exhibition basketball doubleheader in Joplin on Saturday, Nov. 5. The goal is to continue helping Joplin recover from the devastation it sustained from the May 22 tornado.
MSU's efforts to help Joplin have been ongoing since the deadliest tornado to hit the U.S. since 1947 ripped through the neighboring southwest Missouri community about 70 miles west of Springfield. Missouri's public affairs university has already made more than 50 organized trips to the Joplin area, including student, faculty and alumni groups, to assist in the recovery, relief and rebuilding efforts there.
Basketball exhibition doubleheader
The Nov. 5 basketball exhibition doubleheader at Leggett and Platt Athletic Center was announced this summer and will feature the MSU Bears and Lady Bears against Missouri Southern State University. Missouri State received a special waiver from the NCAA to play the exhibition games away from its campus against the Division II Lions. The event begins at 5 p.m. with the women's game and continues at 7 p.m. with the men's contest.
Missouri State men's head coach Paul Lusk spent three seasons at Missouri Southern (1999-2002) where he was an assistant under current Lions' coach Robert Corn.
Special recognition highlighting Missouri State's efforts in the Joplin area will take place at halftime of both games.
Tickets for the basketball doubleheader, which are $15 for reserved seats and $10 for general admission seating, can be purchased by calling the MSSU Ticket Office at (417) 625-9366. All proceeds from the games will go directly to the Missouri Southern Foundation's Tornado Emergency Relief Fund.
Alumni and friends gathering
A MarooNation event for Missouri State alumni and friends will precede the fund-raising basketball event, from 12-2 p.m. at the Joplin High School 11th and 12th Grade Center (101 North Rangeline Road).
Both MSU basketball teams, along with the mascots and spirit squads, will make personal appearances at the event, sign autographs and meet with fans.
Lunch from McAllister's Deli will be served at a cost of $5 per person. Donations to assist the Joplin Public Schools Foundation will also be collected during the event, and tours of the 11th and 12th Grade Center will be available.
Advance registration is appreciated by contacting 417-836-5654, alumni@missouristate.edu or register on-line at: https://secure.www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/MIO/event/showEventForm.jsp?form_id=113928
Student service project
The day will begin with a Missouri State student service project in Joplin. Transportation, lunch and game tickets will be provided for all students who participate in the service initiative. The group will also be recognized at the alumni function.
Students will also be collecting funds to assist various relief charities in advance of the Nov. 5 trip. Missouri State fans are encouraged to support student collection efforts on campus and at various athletic events during the month of October.
For more information on the student fund-raising and service efforts, please contact Missouri State Student Engagement at (417) 836-4386 or by email at volunteer@missouristate.edu.
Related opportunities
The Missouri State cheerleaders, Sugar Bears and mascots will also spend the day in Joplin on Nov. 5, appearing at the alumni function before an afternoon service project at Freeman Hospital. The groups will also attend the basketball games and perform at halftime of both contests.
Likewise, the Missouri State Bookstore will have BearWear and accessories available at the alumni function, including the Bear hugs for Joplin t-shirt. All proceeds from the sale of the shirts go directly to Convoy of Hope and the American Red Cross to assist the Joplin area. The shirts, which sell for $11.99 at the MSU Bookstore and on-line at www.missouristate.edu/bearhugsforjoplin, have been very popular since they went on sale this spring with more than 1,000 shirts sold in the first four months.
Missouri State students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are encouraged to attend and support the Nov. 5 festivities in Joplin and continue to send hope down I-44 for the thousands whose lives continue to be affected by one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.
