Sept. 18, 2007

9/18/07 - OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Evangels took time out of their busy schedules to visit their biggest fans Tuesday, September 18, 2007. The Evangels went to Kelly Elementary and visited their buddies in Mrs. Gillen's third grade class. The MACU men's basketball team has teamed up with Kelly Elementary and Mrs. Gillen's to create a buddy system between a student and an Evangel. The Evangels and the students write letters back and forth through out the season, learning about each other.

"This is a great opportunity for the athletes to reach out to the community," Coach Willie Holley said. "The kids have a great time and the players do to."

The Evangels talked to the kids about respect and did a few tricks for the kids. Senior Tracy Wilkins and junior haves Jackson helped the kids spin a basketball on their fingers while senior Joe Brown and Murray State transfer Derek Winston taught the kids to dribble between their legs. After the players had showed the kids how to do tricks, it was the kids turn to try and do it better than their buddy.

"All the kids looked up to you like you were their hero," Wilkins said.

The men's basketball program has been working with Kelly Elementary for four years.On November 10, 2007, the kids will visit the Evangels when they play Ecclesia College. Following the game the kids will be able to visit with their players and eat pizza.

If you are interested in playing men's basketball for MACU or would like more information about the men's basketball program, contact Coach Charles Goar at 405-692-3267 or via email at cgoar@macu.edu.