St. Ignatius Martyr School

AUSTIN, Texas - The St. Edward's University Athletic Department has set the date for its annual NCAA Basketball take a Kid to the Game day for January 10, where they will host Newman in a doubleheader at the Recreation and Convocation Center. J.J. Jumper the official Basketball Mascot of the NCAA will also be in attendance for both games.

Area youth, 14 and under, are invited to attend this special event and receive a free ticket with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket. Youth will have the opportunity to experience the college game-day atmosphere and some exciting action as they watch the Hilltoppers compete for a win over the Jets.

The women's game will start at 6 p.m., with the men's game to follow at 8 p.m.

St. Edward's is hosting one of more than 700 games that will be played across the nation as part of the Take a Kid to the Game (TAKG) program in its 11th season. The project is a grass roots initiative that attracts the nation's youth and encourages adults to take kids to area college basketball games.

"We are thrilled to invite area youth to our campus and have them help as we cheer on the Hilltoppers to victory. It is our hope that adults in the community will bring their children out to experience a collegiate athletic event at St. Edward's" said Scott Abel, Associate Athletics Director at St. Edward's. "We're expecting a crowd to take part in the intense basketball action at our men's game!"

Tickets for this special game can be purchased at the front gate on game day. For more information, contact Scott Abel at (512) 233-1637.

NCAA Basketball is a national sponsor of the Take a Kid to the Game program. To learn about other NCAA Men's Basketball initiatives, please visit www.ncaa.org/bkbmarketingresource for more information.

TAKG is a grassroots marketing campaign created by Host Communications, Inc. to encourage alumni and fans to take their kids out to stadiums and arenas to experience intercollegiate athletics.

J.J. Jumper was created seven years ago to help NCAA institutions reach their younger fans. J.J. Jumper was developed through a study done by NCAA Basketball, and the concept has received a positive response from both youth and adults.

J.J. Jumper's purpose is to increase enthusiasm and awareness of NCAA Basketball, while engaging and educating youth on healthy physical, emotional and educational values. J.J.'s mission is to represent both genders and all races. J.J. Jumper is an attention-getting 6'5" green creature with orange hair, size 26 shoes and a big heart that motivates youth to do their best on and off the court. J.J. appears at men's and women's basketball games, giving away NCAA Basketball promotional items and performing skills during timeouts and halftime.

Used with permission from: http://www.stedwards.edu/athletics/womens-sports/basketball/st-edward-s-and-j-j-jumper-host-take-kid-game-night