The Missouri Valley Conference is challenging donors to help out, one month before the women's basketball tournament in Moline.
Deputy Commissioner, Sherika Montgomery, says the Missouri Valley Conference wants to continue supporting the local, "Read United" program by raising enough money to pay for 500 free, single session tickets for Hoops in the Heartland. The United Way of the Quad Cities will distribute them to volunteers, schoolchildren, and others who have particiapted in the program.
The ticket drive is named after Debbie Antonelli, a sports commentator and analyst for ESPN, CBS, and other sports networks. Last September, Antonelli came to the Vibrant Arena for the first women's game of the Missouri Valley Conference season.
Montgomery says Antonelli also observed as student athletes worked with third graders in Davenport and Rock Island as part of Read United. They told the schoolchildren how they manage homework and sports, and emphasized how important education is for any student athlete and to succeed in life.
Antonelli kicked off the drive by donating 25 tickets at $12.00 per ticket. But more donors are needed to reach the 500 ticket goal. The link to pledge to the Debbie Antonelli Valley x United Hoops in the Heartland ticket drive is HERE.
The Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball tournament, Hoops in the Heartland, will be held March 9th-12th.
