This content was published: September 30, 2008. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Panthers prowl streets of Portland for fund-raiser
Photos and story by James Hill
They got their dribble and sweat on. 
On Tuesday, Sept. 30, the PCC women’s and men’s basketball teams bounced their way across Portland to take part in the first annual Panthers on the Prowl Dribble-a-Thon fund-raiser. Members of both teams made their way from the college’s Southeast Center, 82nd Avenue and Division Street, to the Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth St. – while dribbling basketballs.
The event was designed to increase the community’s awareness of the teams in addition to raising funds. Groups of PCC players dribbled their way along the route in a sort of relay, handing off their basketballs to the next group every mile.
“The Dribble-a-Thon is a way to generate much-needed additional funds for our athletics program, but more importantly it is an avenue to connect our students with people and businesses from the local community,” said Kevin Collier, men’s head coach. “We are a community college with an overwhelmingly local student body, so it’s important that we reach out to our neighbors in any way we can to generate support for our student-athletes.”
The players, between 8-9 from the women’s and men’s team as well as coaches, seemed to like the dribble-a-thon. Jordan Inge, a first-year student and player, thought the event was really beneficial for the teams.
“We’re trying to raise exposure for the team and show the community we mean business,” said Inge, who is majoring in physical education. “We also got our sweat on.”
PCC basketball’s returning captain, Mike Rich, said for most of the core group this was there first time doing a fund-raiser.
“This was the first time I’ve ever done something like this,” he said. “We jogged most of the way. We passed out fliers about the team to businesses and people passing by to let them know we were having a little fund-raiser.”
Hopefully, the exposure garnered by the event will encourage people to turn out at the Cascade Campus – the home of PCC basketball – to back the teams when their league seasons begin in late October, said John Lee, women’s head coach.
“The Dribble-a-Thon is a great opportunity for us to get the word out about our program, to say ‘We’re in the community’” Lee said. “Our team is made up of young women from all over the area, and they’re excited about the chance to represent PCC and our city.”
Those interested in making a donation to the Dribble-a-Thon or to the PCC athletic program should contact Athletic Director Richard Magruder at (503) 978-5513.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »