This content was published: September 24, 2008. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
SE to NE: PCC to host 'Dribble-a-thon'
Photos and story by James Hill
The Portland Community College women’s and men’s basketball teams will bounce their way across Portland later this month when they tip off the first annual Panthers on the Prowl Dribble-a-Thon fund-raiser. Members of both teams will make 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 – designed to increase the community’s awareness of the teams in addition to raising funds – is set for 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Groups of PCC players will dribble 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 college’s athletics department is reaching out to individuals and businesses in the community to support the dribblers in their cross-town odyssey. 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 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 »