Horizon League schools host Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations

Jan. 10, 2007

Indianapolis, Ind. -- In a continuation of a tradition, the Horizon League will honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a student-centered arts contest, which will culminate with celebrations at five men's and women's basketball games scheduled this Saturday (Jan. 13).

This year's Martin Luther King celebration features events surrounding games at Butler University (women versus Loyola University Chicago), the University of Illinois at Chicago (men versus Loyola), the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (women versus the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Wright State University (men versus UW-Green Bay) and Youngstown State University (men versus UW-Milwaukee).

Each of the League schools hosting games on Saturday has partnered with a local elementary or middle school to organize a contest for fifth- and sixth-graders who will submit a piece of art, an essay or a musical performance focusing on the life of Martin Luther King. Fifteen winners have been chosen from each of the schools.

"The Horizon League's annual Martin Luther King Celebration is our continuing commitment to provide an educational service to children in our communities so that they learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the effect that his beliefs had on changing education and civil rights opportunities for men, women and children of all races," senior associate commissioner Alfreeda Goff explained. "It is also an opportunity for them to express in their own way what affect his life has had on them and how they plan to live their lives."

The winners will receive three free tickets to the game and be recognized on the court during pre-game or halftime festivities and receive a commemorative gift from the Horizon League. In addition, the winning projects will be displayed at the arenas.

Now in its fourth season, the Horizon League's Martin Luther King Day tradition began on MLK Day in 2004 with a men's basketball game between Cleveland State and Detroit, both of whom had African-American head coaches. In 2005 and 2006, the event expanded to include every men's and women's basketball game played that weekend.

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE HORIZON LEAGUE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION

Men's Games
Loyola at UIC, 3:30 p.m. (CT) -- John M. Smyth Magnet School
UW-Green Bay at Wright State, 7 p.m. (ET) -- Fairborn Intermediate School
UW-Milwaukee at Youngstown State, 7:35 p.m. (ET) -- P. Ross Berry Middle School

Women's Games
UW-Milwaukee at UW-Green Bay, 3 p.m. (CT) -- Red Smith Elementary School
Loyla at Butler, 6 p.m. (ET) -- North Wayne Elementary School