Spring Break
Basketball tournament benefits victims of Gaza violence
Gregory T. Hedgepeth II
Issue date: 3/31/09 Section: News
Friday evening, ECU students gathered at the Student Recreation Center to show support and raise money for the victims of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The event, Hoops for Gaza, was organized by ECU's Arab Student Union (ASUEC).
"We got the idea to do this fundraiser from [the] African Student Organization at ECU," said president of the ASUEC, Faten Odeh, a junior double majoring in journalism and political science. "They had 'A Kick for Africa' soccer tournament earlier this year which raised money for the children of Uganda."
Students from all walks of life came out to show support for the ASUEC's mission. "I don't even like basketball; I'm actually a wrestler," said Jared Waters, a junior communications major. "I just came to show support for the cause." \
Most notable in attendance were members of the ASO. In fact, their attendance was so prevalent that the best-of-three tournament ended up playing out as an ASUEC-ASO affair as the two teams matched up for the cause.
Students were asked to donate $5 to participate, and approximately $50 was raised from these donations, with an additional $20 coming from drawing to win a hookah. ASUEC is still taking donations for the victims of the Gaza Strip conflict.
"Though $50 may not seem like much in the [United] States, multiplying that by three, depending on the currency day by day, will make a huge difference," Odeh said. "To someone who is in dire need of aid, it's great because it allows them to buy simple medicine that we get every day from the drug store, like Advil."
Before the tournament began, Sami Alam, sophomore sports and physiology major, led everyone in a brief prayer.
"Let's play ball," Alam said before running excitedly out onto the court.
The tournament started with a four-on-four contest with supporters cheering from the sidelines.
The first game was fiercely competitive and ended with a 30-19 score in favor of ASO.
"I did what I needed to do for my team to win," Waters said, after scoring six points for ASO.
The second game was a five-on-five affair where ASUEC took an early 13-point lead behind some sharp shooting.
With lots of hustle and tough defense by ASO, they tied the game late and eventually went on to win 30-28.
"Basketball games are the way the world and life should be," Odeh said. "We must work together like teams do and aim for a goal … we must be the team for the people and win this game of life."
All donations from the event will go to Humanitarian Aid and the Islamic Relief Fund.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
"We got the idea to do this fundraiser from [the] African Student Organization at ECU," said president of the ASUEC, Faten Odeh, a junior double majoring in journalism and political science. "They had 'A Kick for Africa' soccer tournament earlier this year which raised money for the children of Uganda."
Students from all walks of life came out to show support for the ASUEC's mission. "I don't even like basketball; I'm actually a wrestler," said Jared Waters, a junior communications major. "I just came to show support for the cause." \
Most notable in attendance were members of the ASO. In fact, their attendance was so prevalent that the best-of-three tournament ended up playing out as an ASUEC-ASO affair as the two teams matched up for the cause.
Students were asked to donate $5 to participate, and approximately $50 was raised from these donations, with an additional $20 coming from drawing to win a hookah. ASUEC is still taking donations for the victims of the Gaza Strip conflict.
"Though $50 may not seem like much in the [United] States, multiplying that by three, depending on the currency day by day, will make a huge difference," Odeh said. "To someone who is in dire need of aid, it's great because it allows them to buy simple medicine that we get every day from the drug store, like Advil."
Before the tournament began, Sami Alam, sophomore sports and physiology major, led everyone in a brief prayer.
"Let's play ball," Alam said before running excitedly out onto the court.
The tournament started with a four-on-four contest with supporters cheering from the sidelines.
The first game was fiercely competitive and ended with a 30-19 score in favor of ASO.
"I did what I needed to do for my team to win," Waters said, after scoring six points for ASO.
The second game was a five-on-five affair where ASUEC took an early 13-point lead behind some sharp shooting.
With lots of hustle and tough defense by ASO, they tied the game late and eventually went on to win 30-28.
"Basketball games are the way the world and life should be," Odeh said. "We must work together like teams do and aim for a goal … we must be the team for the people and win this game of life."
All donations from the event will go to Humanitarian Aid and the Islamic Relief Fund.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Ronnie
posted 4/01/09 @ 1:35 AM EST
Murad Badwan got dunked on during this tournament.
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