UNIVERSITY CENTER - The eighth-annual Pros v Joes Charity Basketball Game is set to take place on Monday, April 13th with a tip-off of 7:00 pm. This year's game is once again being played in the Cardinal Gym, with money being raised to support the Abou Traore Memorial Scholarships. Scholarship recipients will be presented with their award at the game as well.
In August 2007, SVSU lost student Abou Traore in a tragic accident. Abou had been attending SVSU for two years. A pre-med major, it was Abou's dream to return to his home country of Senegal as a doctor, to make a better life for his country's people. He was preparing to be a Resident Assistant for the 2007-2008 academic year, played club soccer, worked for Dining Services and Campus Facilities, and served as a vital member of the International Student Club. Abou characterizes the concept of the "power of one" and the value placed on each member of our University community. More importantly, Abou will be remembered by those that knew him as a dedicated friend with deep personal convictions and an intense will to pursue his dream through education.
So that others may achieve their educational goals, a student scholarship has been established in honor and memory of Abou.
Monies to support the scholarship have been raised in a variety of ways however the most well-known and anticipated is the annual Pros v Joes Charity Basketball game that pits the SVSU Men's & Women's Basketball teams (Pros) against a team made of up SVSU faculty and staff (Joes). Faculty, staff and students come together each year to honor the memory of Abou and to raise money to support the scholarship. This is no regulation basketball game – we have guest referees: Eric Gilbertson & Aaron Mowen. Jason Fielder, SVSU Alum and TV5 Sports reporter, will serve as the game announcer. While one might think that "anything goes" in this game, when the refs call a foul – the player goes to the penalty couch where they wait until the cheerleaders raise money from the crowd to get them back in the game.
In addition to a great basketball game, the crowd will be led by the faculty/staff cheer squad – don't worry, there won't be any stunting, but watch out for what they might throw to the crowd (prizes). There will be entertainment throughout the game with a DJ, competitions – lightening at half-time, prizes (SVSU gear, fitbits, gift cards and more), Encore (student performance group) will perform the National Anthem. Cash donations will be accepted at the door. T-shirts and bracelets will be for sale at the door as well.
In a mere 5 years, the scholarship was endowed at $10,000, mostly through the Pros v Joes Charity Basketball games.
This event would not be possible without the incredible collaboration and support of SVSU Athletics, Residential Life, Student Life, Student Affairs, Housing Operations, RHA, SA, Encore, faculty/staff/student volunteers and many others.
Pros Roster
Jess Alexander
Grace Whelan
Abby Schlicher
Katelyn Carriere
Emily Wendling
Mikayla Silm
Caleb Davis
Kellen Smith
Garrett Hall
Wade Gelhaus
Lindsey Johnson
Sterling Johnson
Joes Roster
Paco Fulgencio - Dining
Callie Youngman - Athletics
Ronnie Hampston – adjunct faculty – Criminal Justice
Jill Allardyce – University Communications
Jamie Pewinski - Athletics
Angela Pohl - Athletics
Greg Behe – Residential Life
Eltaro Hooper – Residential Life
Bryan Crainer – Student Life
Nick Wagner – Institutional Research
Jenna Briggs – Graduate & International Admissions
Kim Lacey – Assistant Professor - English
Tyler Dijak – graduate student intern
Andarius Taylor – Academic Advising
Roberto Garcia – School & University Partnerships
Tom Barnikow – Career Services
Anthony Bowrin – Associate Dean of the College of Business & Management
John Girdwood – adjunct faculty - Sociology
