The Athletics Department will be sponsoring a very special Spirit Night on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Although activities will be centered around a special doubleheader night of basketball, there will be a number of other fun activities that the community can get involved in to show their Ocelot spirit.

The festivities will begin at 4:30 p.m. with music provided by DJ Jason George, who will be on hand providing entertainment throughout the evening. The Lady Ocelots will tip off against Henry Ford Community College at 5:30 p.m. and the Men’s team will play at 7:30 p.m. There will be raffles and drawings for prizes, too.

One of the highlights of the evening is the opportunity for people attending to participate in a great community service activity. “We are partnering with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program this year to make the holidays a little brighter for kids in their program,” said Sid Fox, director of athletics. “We are asking people who come out for Spirit Night to bring a gift item appropriate for a boy or girl, aged 7 -16. In return, we won’t be charging admission for the games and festivities. Our 100 or so student athletes have taken the lead on this effort and are excited to participate.” Mentors and children participating in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program will be attending the games. A list of suggested items to donate is below.

In addition to the games, music, prizes, concessions and collection drive, the Men’s Basketball team will also have a special honorary coach that evening as Dr. Conway Jeffress, college president, dons the Ocelot colors and joins the team on the bench.

“The gifts should be wrapped and labeled as to the age group and whether it is for a boy or girl,” said Sid Fox, athletic director.

Suggested items include:
Boys

• 7-10 year olds: puzzles; Scooby-Doo videos; model car kits
• 11-12 year olds: Harry Potter videos; basketball, baseballs, etc.; sports magazines
• 13 & older: wallets; travel cases (small); cologne gift sets

Girls

• 7-10 year olds: puzzles, Scooby-Doo videos, jewelry making sets
• 11-12 year olds: Harry Potter videos; diaries/journals; photo albums
• 13 & older: manicure sets; coin purses; bath gift sets

Boys or Girls, All Ages: Gift Cards (Best Buy/Media Play, Barnes & Noble/Borders, Kmart/Target); candy canes; movie passes; sports tickets; board games; appropriate age group books; stuffed animals; holiday popcorn tins; gloves/mittens and scarves.