MORGANTOWN — The fourth annual WVU men’s basketball alumni game is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 16, at Fairmont State University’s Joe Retton Arena.
Tickets are on sale at http://jflowent.com for $15; they will be $20 at the door.
“We had such a great time in Fairmont last year, it was a no-brainer to come back,” John Flowers, game organizer and WVU basketball alumnus, said in a news release. “Every year we’ve gotten bigger and better, and the crowds have too.”
Each year, a portion of the proceeds from the game benefit charity. The game raised $20,000 over three games for the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment Fund, Conquer Chiari and WVU Medicine Children’s Cure Kids Cancer Fund.
This year’s charity hits close to home. WVU’s own Da’Sean Butler’s “Give A Hoop Foundation” will be given the spotlight.
The foundation seeks to make a difference in the lives of children by providing positive role models, mentoring and giving back to those in need. The mission is to provide affordable athletic and other programing based on need and to make contributions in the community that benefit children.
“Da’Sean is a great guy and one of my best friends,” Flowers said. “Ever since I met him, he has been passionate about everything that he does, on and off the court. It’s great that he is so dedicated to giving back, helping kids that may not have been dealt the best hand in life get active and follow their dreams. I just want to help him help these kids.”
ROWING
PHILADELPHIA — The Mountaineers closed the regular season April 28 by competing against Saint Joseph’s and Delaware on the Schuylkill River.
“Today was a solid day for the team as a whole,” assistant coach Tina Griffith said. “Each crew was able to put together a more complete set of races and was able to make gains upon last week’s results. We are looking forward to carrying the momentum from this weekend into the next few weeks of practice and into our conference championships.”
The Mountaineers began the day by taking on host Saint Joseph’s in four races. The third varsity eight boat opened the contest for WVU, finishing in 7:16.3 to nip Saint Joseph’s crew (7:17.0).
WVU (7:56.7) lost in the varsity four contest as the Hawks crossed the finish line in 7:42.7.
WVU closed the first session with two wins. In the second varsity eight race, the Mountaineers crossed the finish line in 7:04.2 to pace Saint Joe’s (7:06.4). WVU then finished 10 seconds ahead of its competitors, in 7:07.5, to defeat SJU (7:17.2) in the varsity eight.
After a short break, WVU began the afternoon session of racing, against Delaware. The Blue Hens defeated the Mountaineers in the third varsity eight, first varsity four, second varsity eight and varsity eight races.
WVU will return to Morgantown to prepare for the Big 12 championship, on May 12, in Melton Lake, Tenn. The Mountaineers will join Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas and Big 12 affiliate members Alabama, Old Dominion and Tennessee in the meet.
TRACK AND FIELD
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Mountaineers competed at the Virginia Grand Prix, earning a pair of victories.
Redshirt senior Amy Cashin won the 1,500 meters, while freshman Ellie Gardner was victorious in pole vault.
In all, the Mountaineers posted seven top-five finishes on the day.
Cashin crossed the finish line in 4:21.56. She won the 3,000-meter steeplechase Thursday at the Penn Relays.
Also in the 1,500 meters, redshirt sophomore Candace Jones, took third place, in 4:26.17.
Ellie Gardner earned a winning jump of 3.81 meters (12 feet, 6 inches) in the pole vault (unseeded), marking the first outdoor win of her collegiate career. In the women’s pole vault invitational, redshirt senior Madelin Gardner placed fourth, with a jump of 4.05 meters (13 feet, 3.5 inches).
Senior Sara Finfrock also competed in the invite section of the pole vault, finishing ninth (3.75 meters/12 feet, 3.5 inches).
Junior Danique Bryan took fifth place in the long jump (6.16 meters/20 feet, 2.5 inches) and fifth in the triple jump (12.52 meters/41 feet, 1 inch).
Junior Faith Penny tied for third place in the high jump (1.63 meters/5 feet, 4.25 inches).
Next up, WVU closes the outdoor regular season May 4, at the Billy Hayes Invitational, in Bloomington, Ind.
