Komen Affiliate Recognizes Education Prof, Students for Their 'Hoops for a Cure' Fundraising

Since 2005, students in Lynn Ridinger's undergraduate Sport Marketing classes and graduate Sport Sponsorship and Event Planning classes have sold tickets to the annual Hoops for the Cure women's basketball game at Old Dominion. The game raises money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer through education and research.

At this year's Hoops for the Cure game, played on Feb. 13, the Lady Monarchs defeated UNC-Wilmington 68-60 in front of 4,019 fans at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. The ODU team and many of its fans were dressed in pink to commemorate survivors of breast cancer and support the mission of the Komen organization.

During a break in the game, Ilona Webb Bruner, executive director of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tidewater affiliate, recognized Ridinger and her students for their fundraising efforts. Ridinger's two classes combined to raise $3,220 by selling 634 tickets and collecting $50 in donations.

Over the past seven years, her students have raised $23,233 for the local Komen affiliate.

"In addition to learning about the value of fundraising for a worthy cause, this ticket-selling assignment teaches students about sales strategies and lets them hone their sales skills," said Ridinger, an associate professor of sport management. "Experience in selling tickets is a key component for those seeking employment in the sports industry."

This year's top-selling students included Sami Hamad, Kevin Pearl and Gavin Campbell. Hamad, the top seller from Ridinger's classes, sold 70 tickets.