Horizon League schools host Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations this Saturday

Jan. 15, 2008

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 seven men's and women's basketball games scheduled this Saturday (Jan. 19).

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

Each of the League institutions hosting games on Saturday has partnered with one or more local elementary or middle schools to organize a contest in which fifth- and sixth-graders submit a piece of art, an essay or a musical performance focusing on the life of Martin Luther King. Each grade school selects 15-20 winners for the contest.

The three schools not hosting games Saturday---Detroit, Milwaukee and Wright State---will conduct similar celebrations in February, in conjunction with Black Heritage Month.

"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 receive three free tickets to the game and will 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 fifth 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, the event expanded to include every men's and women's basketball home date that weekend.

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

Men's Games
Detroit at UIC, 3 p.m. (CT) -- Alain Locke Charter Academy, St. Ann Elementary School
Butler at Youngstown State, 7:05 p.m. (ET) -- P. Ross Berry Middle School
Valparaiso at Cleveland State, 7:30 p.m. (ET) -- Anton Grdina Elementary School
Wright State at Loyola, 7 p.m. (CT) -- Northside Catholic Academy
Milwaukee at Green Bay, 7:05 p.m. (CT) -- Red Smith School

Women's Games
Milwaukee at Butler, 2 p.m. (ET) -- North Wayne Elementary School
Green Bay at Valparaiso, 2:35 p.m. (CT) -- Northview Elementary School