Feb. 11, 2009
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – On Monday, February 16 the Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team will play host to Hampton University at the LJVM Annex at 7:30 p.m. The Rams will also open their hearts and doors to members of the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission as WSSU men's basketball invites the WSRM to join them for their pre-game meal and also extends a special invitation to take in the action on the hardwood when the Rams battle the Pirates later that evening.
To some, there may be few similarities between homeless men and members of a high-powered college basketball program. But, as the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission sees on a daily basis, many people could be in the shoes of the homeless population of the Triad. Through a unique get-together, the Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team will get a chance to meet some of the residents of the Rescue Mission.
On Monday, February 16, a group of men from the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission will be the special guests of the Rams at the team's pre-game meal and for the 7:30 p.m. game that night against MEAC foe Hampton University at the LJVM Coliseum Annex.
The mission residents will get a chance for fellowship with the team at 3:30 p.m. at the team's pre-game meal on campus for about an hour before departing later on for the game that night. The event, sure to be an eye-opening occasion for the young members of the Ram's basketball team and a welcome treat for the Rescue Mission residents, will mark the beginning of a new partnership between the WSSU men's basketball team and the WSRM.
“I often tell my players that we are a blessed group. We are fortunate enough to get three meals a day and all we have to do is go to class, compete and play basketball” WSSU head basketball coach Bobby Collins said.
“This is a way for us to give back to the community, and I am very pleased to have an opportunity to do this.”
This initiative of giving is not exclusive to the Winston-Salem State University men's basketball team as student-athletes at WSSU find time in their busy schedules to reach out to the community as they prepare for life after their athletic careers at WSSU are over. The Rams and Lady Rams are extremely active in the community; from reading programs to after-school activities, the student-athletes at WSSU firmly believe in giving back to the city of Winston-Salem. In 2007-08, WSSU student-athletes volunteered more than 800 hours, reaching thousands in the local community.
For more information on this event or other Rescue Mission projects, please contact Mike Foster, Development Director with the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission at (336) 723-1848, ext. 121 or via email at mike.foster@wsrescure.org.
For additional information on WSSU men's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 70-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at WSSURams.com.
