'Bunko for Basketball' scheduled May 5
Contact: Rene Abadie
Date: 4/5/12
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COOL RIDE – Surrounded by Lady Lion basketball players, Southeastern Louisiana University head women's basketball coach Lori Davis Jones displays the Cali Classic 50 scooter that will be raffled at Bunko for Basketball May 5 at Twelve Oaks. The scooter was provided by Big Easy Scooters and Cycles of New Orleans and donated by Michael and Denise Holly of Hammond. From left, front, are Kelli Jenkins, Elizabeth Styles, Taylor Mims, Hillary Shaffer, Symone Miller, Jones, Aja Gibson, Michael Holly; back, Summer Postell, Amber Crenshaw, Cierra Morris, Jessica Sommers, Brandi Simmons, and Latoria Holder.
HAMMOND – Tickets are now on sale for the fifth annual "Bunko for Basketball," a scholarship fundraiser for the Southeastern Louisiana University women's basketball program.
Sponsored by the Lady Lions' mentoring and support group PRIDE (Positive Role Models Involved in the Development of Excellence), Bunko for Basketball will take place Saturday, May 5 at Southeastern's Twelve Oaks. This year's event will have a Kentucky Derby theme since it shares the date with the famous horse race.
Tickets for the evening of fun and fundraising are $35 per person in advance and $40 at the door for the adults-only event, which will feature hor d'oeuvres, drinks – including complimentary mint juleps -- and silent and live auctions.
Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the popular Bunko games beginning at 7 p.m. Because the event attracted a capacity crowd last year, the option of reserving a table of four for $200 has also been added to allow friends to secure seats together, said Southeastern head coach Lori Davis Jones.
During Bunko for Basketball, PRIDE will also draw the winning ticket for a Cali Classic 50 scooter, provided by Big Easy Scooters and Cycles of New Orleans. The scooter is donated by Michael and Denise Holly of Hammond, and raffle tickets are $5.
Bunko for Basketball and scooter raffle tickets can be obtained from PRIDE members and on campus at the Athletics ticket office, room 107 in the Dugas Center for Southeastern Athletics, 800 Galloway Drive, and the Lady Lion Basketball office, room 106 in the University Center, 800 W. University Ave.
Tickets will also be available at PJs Coffee and Tea in downtown Hammond, Southeastern home baseball games and the April 18 Business and Community Expo at the University Center.
"Bunko for Basketball has become one of the most popular events in our community," said Jones. "The game is fun and simple, and you'll have the opportunity to meet our terrific players, bid on some really special auction items and have a wonderful time with your friends – all for a good cause, the PRIDE Scholarship fund."
Jones said since 2007, Bunko has raised more than $72,000 for the scholarship, which provides Lady Lions with financial support for post sports eligibility coursework. To date, the scholarship has been awarded to six student-athletes.
For information on the event and tickets, contact PRIDE Chair Patsy Causey, 985-345-8133, or the Lady Lion basketball office, 985-549-3744.
