Thursday’s game represents more than just a chance for the NU men’s basketball team to achieve their first season sweep of a Big Ten opponent. It also represents an opportunity for the team to give back to the community.
The basketball program has partnered with Dance Marathon for the Iowa game to raise awareness for DM’s primary beneficiary, the Children’s Heart Foundation. Several children from the CHF spent the end of NU’s practice Tuesday shooting around and playing games with the Northwestern players.
“It means a lot to us,” Senior Juice Thompson said. “This kids came out here to be with us, and that’s something special. A lot of people don’t get that opportunity. For us to spend this time with these kids, it means a lot to our program as well as the kids.”
In addition to spending practice with the team, several children from the CHF will be on the court for Thursday’s game, both to sing the national anthem and to participate in time-out entertainment. One heart ambassador will also serve as the honorary captain for the game.
“There’s a lot of involvement for the kids in the game,” Julie Sher, executive co-chair of DM said. “It’s a nice opportunity for the kids to get an opportunity to feel special and get on the court with the team.”
In addition to raising awareness, head coach Bill Carmody pledged to donate $1000 to the DM team that brings the highest number of supporters to the game. The group with the second most supporters will receive a $500 donation in their name from DM.
“It’s a great cause,” Carmody said. “When you get to see these kids faces out here, those smiles, you think ‘whoa.’ They light up and it just makes you feel good.”
According to members of the team, it is not a surprise to see Carmody leap at the opportunity to give back to a good cause.
“Coach is a stand-up guy,” Sophomore Drew Crawford said. “He really cares about the community and giving back. And, you know, big contributions like that to charity…that’s just who he is.”
In what seems to be a perfect storm, the game will also fall in February, which is Heart Awareness Month. And DM happens to be just fifteen days after the game.
“We’re raising awareness for the campus,” Sher said. “Its great for the foundation to get more people aware and involved. And because of the date, it’s a great way to get the whole campus pumped for DM.”
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