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T-Birds to Host Hoops for Education Night

March 9, 2011 - NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release


Rio Rancho, NM - The New Mexico Thunderbirds will be hosting Hoops for Education Night on Friday, April 1st at 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Ana Star Center. The purpose of Hoops for Education Night is:

1) To honor the USNMFCU Teacher of the Year and the Gatorade Student/Athlete of the Year, each with a $500 cash scholarship;

2) To leverage the excitement of pro basketball to motivate students of all ages to stay in school, take pride in their educations and achieve success in life;

3) To show children how nutrition, fitness and a healthy lifestyle can help them achieve their goals in school and in sports;

4) To raise the awareness among students about business career opportunities in the world of sports;

5) To give schools and students the chance to showcase their own talents for the community by participating in concourse and pre-game exhibitions of their school projects; and

6) To encourage students to recognize the importance of obtaining a college education to achieve long-term economic and financial success in their own lives.

During Hoops for Education Night, students will get to participate in numerous events as part of the game. Cleveland High School's Robotics Club will be on hand to put on a robotics demonstration for the crowd, showing off the robots that they built and use to compete in Robo Rave. During various breaks in the game, students will hear short presentations about saying "No" to drugs, learning fire safety rules and making healthy nutrition decisions for optimum performance in school and in sports.

"We are delighted to be able to host this event for the sixth straight year and for the first time in Rio Rancho," said Thunderbirds' co-owner, Jackie Bregman.

Teachers and students from Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, APS, Charter, private and pueblo schools are all invited to participate in the evening's festivities, as well as to arrange for concourse space to showcase art, science and other special projects. For more information about how to get a school involved, please contact Amanda Bergamo at 228-9641 or call the T-Birds office at 265-3865.

Students will be invited to stand courtside during warm-ups and participate in the high five pre-game fan tunnel. After the game, there will be an autograph session with the Thunderbirds coaches and players. The festivities will include free kids' fun jumps, $1 hot dogs and $2 drink specials. The first 500 fans in the door will also receive free instant win music download cards.

For the remaining home games of the season, fans are invited to bid on two authentic framed team jerseys, which will be on display at all home games until April 1st. The proceeds from the silent auction will be used by the team to invite underprivileged children to the game so that as many children in the community as possible will be able to participate in the educational and game experiences offered. The Team is still seeking additional sponsors for the game to assist in bringing out as many local children as possible. Attached is more information about how to become a sponsor of the event.

Gatorade will be presenting the Rio Rancho Student/Athlete of the Year award at the game and U.S. New Mexico Federal Credit Union (the "Eagle") will be presenting the Rio Rancho Teacher of the Year award. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2011 awards and must be turned in to Jackie Bregman at jbregman@nmtbirds.com on or before March 20, 2011. For more information about nominating a teacher or a student/athlete, please email Jackie Bregman or call the T-Birds office at 505-265-3865. Student/athlete nominees must be high school seniors at either Rio Rancho High School or Cleveland High School, must have a 3.5 GPA or higher and must have lettered in a high school sport at either school.

The T-Birds will return home to continue the Team's "March Giveaway Madness" on Friday, March 11th, at Susan G. Komen For the Cure Night, sponsored by Presbyterian Hospital. The first 500 fans in the doors will receive free Thundercat stickers. Presbyterian Hospital will be presenting a $1000 donation to Susan G. Komen For the Cure. There will also be a silent auction for autographed pink basketballs, with the proceeds going to Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

On Saturday, March 12th, the Thunderbirds will be hosting Hispanic Heritage Night, presented by Univision and Premier Distributing Company, as well as the following additional sponsors: Power 106, Jose 105.9, the New Mexico Alliance for Hispanic Education and the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. The T-Birds will be donating a portion of every fundraising ticket purchased for the event to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. The night will include a pre-game Flamenco presentation by the National Institute of Flamenco and a post-game concert featuring Kymberlee Ann Lopez and local sister singing act, SORELA. All fans will also have the opportunity to win Lakers tickets, a Taos Ski Valley Vacation, an Angel Fire Deluxe Ski Vacation and a VIP Package to the Ty Murray Invitational.

Thunderbirds' single and group game tickets are available by calling the T-Birds office at 265-3865 or online at www.nmtbirds.com. The Thunderbirds also offer family four packs at every game, which include 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 nachos, and 4 drinks for only $44.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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