More than just a game
The stakes will be huge when the Charlotte 49ers host the Georgia Bulldogs in a benefit exhibition basketball game at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, at Halton Arena.
Proceeds from the game will assist the April 30th Remembrance Fund, managed by the UNC Charlotte Foundation. It was created to support memorial efforts in response to the shooting on campus that took the lives of two students and injured four others.
General admission tickets are $15; to purchase, call 704-687-4949 or visit Charlotte49ers.com. Tickets also will be available at the door. UNC Charlotte students can attend for free but may make a donation.
To mark the event’s significance, the first 2,000 fans to arrive will receive “We Are All Niners” T-shirts.
“We’re grateful to our friends at Georgia for agreeing to play this charity exhibition game, which received special approval from the NCAA,” said Charlotte Director of Athletics Mike Hill. “We have an SEC team coming into our house, so we need our fans to create a loud, enthusiastic environment.
“People ask us all the time—how can we help?” Hill said. “This is how. Come out on Oct. 25 to support our basketball team and a very worthy cause.”
Charlotte head basketball coach Ron Sanchez said, “Georgia is an excellent team with some high-level talent. This is an opportunity for us to see where we are. I know our fans will really enjoy this contest.”
“We want to make Halton Arena a tough place to play, so we really need Niner Nation to show up and cheer on our team.”
University of Georgia head basketball coach Tom Crean said the game is important to his team because it will be a true road test that will give valuable experience for his younger players.
“We will be able to gain experience while supporting the April 30th Remembrance Fund and remembering those affected by the tragic events of that day,” he said.
This game kicks off a big home weekend for 49er Athletics. Football hosts North Texas at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26. Men’s soccer faces Old Dominion, women’s soccer takes on UTSA, and the volleyball team entertains Western Kentucky, all on Sunday, Oct. 27.