Hurricane Relief Game for Missouri State

Editor: The following is part of a press release from missouristatebears.com.

(Manhattan, KA)  – Missouri State University and Kansas State University have formally announced plans for a men’s basketball exhibition game this Saturday (Oct. 21) to benefit the American Red Cross’ hurricane relief efforts. The game will tip off at 12 p.m. at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.

In lieu of admission, K-State Athletics is suggesting fans contribute $5 per person to the Red Cross’ on-going disaster relief. Staff will also accept cash donations on site, and shopping carts will be provided at the northwest and northeast entrances for fans who choose to contribute non-perishable food items.

NCAA regulations prohibit Division I programs from playing on the road for preseason exhibitions. However, the game was granted an exemption from the NCAA to be played on K-State’s campus as a charity event.

“Life is about giving back and serving others in need,” said MSU head coach Paul Lusk. “This is a great opportunity for our program to do that. We are excited to partner with Kansas State in the hurricane relief efforts.”

The NCAA waiver will also allow the Bears to retain their home exhibition game, which is slated for Wednesday, Nov. 1 at JQH Arena against Southwest Baptist University at 7 p.m.

“We are grateful that the NCAA has given us a chance to help those in need with this game,” said MSU Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. “We have been working on this for a couple of weeks, and we were elated that the game is now a reality.”

The Bears were part of a similar charity exhibition game at Missouri Southern on November 5, 2011. That event served to benefit the Missouri Southern Foundation’s Tornado Emergency Relief Fund to aid relief efforts for a tornado that killed 153 people earlier that year near Joplin.