Gopher Women’s Basketball Hosts Annual Hoopla Celebration

The following is a press release from the University of Minnesota

The Minnesota women’s basketball team will host its annual Hoopla celebration, kicking off the 2009-10 season on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Williams Arena. The family-oriented fan fest will include several activities, including face-painting and photos with Goldy Gopher in the concourse. Then the action really gets going when the Golden Gopher team is introduced in a fun-filled program that will have the fans on their feet! Door open at 10 a.m., with the team introductions set for 12 noon. Hoopla is free and open to the public.

The program will feature plenty of crowd participation. Fans will have the chance to win $10,000 in a half-court shot challenge. Before the Golden Gophers take to the court, a special free throw contest will be held of Minnesota alumni versus local celebrities, a team headlined by Minnesota Lynx star Seimone Augustus. The team will hold a short 10-minute scrimmage to conclude the session, followed by the debut of the 2009-10 schedule poster and your one-and-only chance to collect the entire team’s autographs. The first 500 fans in the door will also receive a special gift.

As the Golden Gophers ask for community support such as season ticket sales, so does the women’s basketball program seek out opportunities to give back. At this year’s Hoopla, the Gophers and Memorial Blood Centers will hold a blood drive.


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