May 20, 2008
RUSTON, La. - One local charity will be able to give children from Ruston a more enjoyable summer thanks to the efforts by Louisiana Tech athletics and its fans. The promotional efforts teamed with the fan response and attendance for the NCAA's Pack the House Challenge during the Lady Techster basketball game against Boise State won the competition and $500 to the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Louisiana.
In an effort to boost attendance at women's basketball games the NCAA's Pack the House was a competition among universities to creatively promote the game and increase attendance well above the season average. Schools were judged within their conferences on attendance increase and creativity in marketing.
Fans came out in droves for the game with more than 4,500 attending. A number of different marketing promotions were held during the game, including "Rope the Bronco," and the 4,537 fans more than doubled the average attendance for the season.
"Our department put in a lot of work to make this challenge a success and to add value and excitement to our women's basketball program," said Leah Beasley, Tech athletics marketing director. "It paid off. The positive response from our fans was overwhelming. I'm proud of our fans for coming out and supporting Pack the House and the Lady Techsters. They helped bring a significant amount of positive exposure and recognition to Tech athletics and the university."
By winning the competition, Tech received a plaque recognizing its accomplishment along with a number of other NCAA gifts. The NCAA also donated $500 to the charity of Tech's choice, and Beasley presented the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Louisiana executive director Eldonta Obsorne with the check last week to help the club with its upcoming summer programs.
"Although the national recognition as a winner of the Pack the House Challenge is priceless for Tech Athletics, we were able to donate $500 to the local Boys and Girls Club, courtesy of the NCAA," Beasley said. "After visiting with Eldonta and viewing all of the incredible things that this group does for the children in our area, I knew that this is where the donation should be applied."
Osborne said the money will help tremendously in what the camp can do this summer for area children with equipment, staffing and more.
"One of the things we will be able to do immediately is use this money for the kids," Osborne said. "We will have about 85 to 100 kids here for our summer program, and we can use this money to cover some of their expenses without it having to pass it on to the families."
The money could also be used as an opportunity to participate in activities outside of the camp and get the kids into the community for an exciting learning experience.
"Hopefully we can do some field trips this summer," Osborne said. "I think that would be a good way to get the kids out of the club and doing something they wouldn't normally get the chance to do."
