6 October 2005

Longwood University Hosting Hampden-Sydney For Men's Basketball Exhibition November 9 Benefiting 'Families for Farmville' Hurricane Relief Efforts

(Pictured left to right) Longwood junior Maurice Sumter, Longwood head coach Mike Gillian, Hampden-Sydney head coach Bubba Smith, Hampden-Sydney senior Matt Guill.

Longwood University Athletics has announced its men's basketball team will host Hampden-Sydney College for a preseason exhibition benefit game that will take place November 9 at 7 p.m. in Willett Hall on-campus in Farmville. All tickets to the contest are $5 each with the net proceeds from the event going to the "Families for Farmville" charity organization's hurricane relief efforts. This fund-raiser was the brainstorm of third-year Lancer head coach Mike Gillian.

"Hurricane Katrina and its subsequent effect are going to be felt for some time and, all in all, it is nice to be in a position to help people that are experiencing a difficult time in their lives," explained Gillian. "I just thought playing the exhibition game against Hampden-Sydney would be a great way for everyone to make a small financial contribution to the Hurricane relief effort and also come out and see their team play before the season gets started. I'm sure everyone in the local community will be excited about the game, especially all of our Longwood students, and we want them all to have a great time so they will come back to see us during the season. It is also great to be able to work in conjunction with Drew Harris and a local effort like Families for Farmville, so we all can see first-hand how the money we raise from the game will benefit those who need it most."

Families for Farmville is a community response and plan to provide relief and support to families that were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The concept originated with Drew Harris, an associate professor of management in Longwood's College of Business and Economics. To date, three families have relocated to the Farmville area and three more are on their way.

"I am pleased and proud that the Longwood and Hampden-Sydney communities have joined in the Families for Farmville project," said Harris. Our students, faculties and staffs provide a tremendous amount of service to the Farmville community.

"This particular event, the exhibition basketball game, captures the essence of the Families for Farmville project – doing good while building our community. This is a fun rivalry that adds spirit to the Farmville community and, believe me, the funds this will generate will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many."

Tickets will go on sale at Longwood University next Wednesday, October 12, in the Athletics Administration Office located on Race Street adjacent to the Greenwood Library. For information, call 434.395.2057. Tickets will go on sale at Hampden-Sydney next Friday, October 14, in the Athletics Office. For information, call 434.223.6151.