Indiana University Athletics
Hoosier Hysteria Produces Large Donations
11/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
Nov. 3, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Hoosier Hysteria did more than just pump excitement into the Indiana basketball programs, it gave back to charitable causes. The season-opening event not only saw more than 11,000 fans pack Assembly Hall, but the Hoosier Nation produced 11,882 pounds of food for Hoosier Hills Food Bank and Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita victims.
In addition, $5,700 of the Hoosier Hysteria proceeds were sent to Nicholls State Univeristy for hurricane relief efforts. Nicholls State was IU's opponent in the Hoosiers' Sept. 10 football opener and the Colonels will visit Branch McCracken Court at Assembly Hall for IU's Nov. 18 basketball opener. Game time for the contest is slated for 6 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN-Plus.
The total amont of food collected was a six percent increase over a season ago. It will be used to feed 20,000 people who use the food bank in Bloomington and its surrounding areas.
Indiana head men's basketball coach Mike Davis and women's head basketball coach Sharon Versyp understand the importance of support not only for the Hoosier basketball programs, but for the a worthy charity.
"It is great to have our fans come and support us for an event like Hoosier Hysteria, but it is even more special to see them giving back to the community," Davis said. "We appreciate all the support from everyone who came out to the event. It was great to see Hoosier fans donate to such a worthy cause."
"It was exciting to see so many people at Hoosier Hysteria," Versyp said. "With it being my first time participating in the event, I was definitely impressed with the amount of people that came out to support our teams and how generous everyone was with their donations. We appreciated everyone's support."
The women's program begins the Versyp Era with an exhibition tilt against the Hoosier Lady Stars on Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Assembly Hall. Indiana begins the regular season against defending national champion Baylor on Nov. 19. Game time for the contest is still to be announced. All women's basketball games can be heard on WHCC105.1 FM with Jeremy Gray on the call.
The Hoosier women return senior leaders Jenny DeMuth and Cyndi Valentin to go along with a trio of starters and 10 letterwinners. Valentin led the Hoosiers at a 15-point scoring clip a season ago. She also garnered international experience while playing for the Puerto Rican National team at the 2005 FIBA World Games over the summer. After missing last season with an injury, DeMuth returns to the Hoosier lineup. During her junior campagin, she was a second team All-Big Ten selection, averaging 18.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest.
The 22nd-ranked men's basketball program will begin the exhibition portion of its schedule on Nov. 4 against NCAA Division II St. Joseph's (Ind.) at 8 p.m. in Assembly Hall. All Hoosier games can be heard on the IU Radio Network with Don Fischer (play-by-play) Todd Leary (analysis) and Joe Smith (pre game, halftime, post game) on the call.
The Hoosier men return four starters and welcomes a loaded group of newcomers, including senior transfers Marco Killingsworth and Lewis Monroe. Reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year D.J. White returns as the Hoosiers' top scorer and rebounder with 13.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest in his rookie campaign.
