MASS office concludes MLK week with charity basketball game
Event held to raise money and collect donations for student food pantry
Central Michigan University's Multicultural Academic Student Services ended Martin Luther King Jr. week with a charity basketball game on Jan. 20 to raise money and collect canned food donations for the Student Food Pantry.
The crowd cheered both teams on for the entirety of the game, but in the end, the staff beat students 49-43.
The faculty/staff team included:
- Eric Pouncil
- Joshua Chapman
- Valarie Faber
- Phil Leyerer
- Kevin Wilson
- Jewel Larkins
- Marceil Davis
- Noah Burks
- Tony Larkins
The student team included:
- Tiarra Weddle
- Malcolm Vinson
- Jada Grandy
- Tori Love
- Bipin Medasani
- Dawsony Borum
- Marlin Adams
- Danielle Lewis
- Deschalyn Riase
- Tyler Bellini
- Iris Costilla
- Myeengan Syrette
- Elijah Lewis
- Eduardo Dominguez
- Jacob Kapusansky
Alfred Harper III, the assistant director of MASS, said although there was a sense of competition, the event was really about charity.
“I’m really happy about the donations that we received and the number of individuals that were able to give monetarily and non-perishable items,” Harper said. “To know that those donations will go to CMU’s student food pantry is the best way for the campus community to give back to those in need.”
The basketball game took place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Student Activity Center Small Courts five and six. The teams wore matching shirts – the staff in black and white and students in maroon and gold.
Sophomore Tupac Holmes was the commentator for the game.
“This was my first time commentating and it was really fun," he said. “It’s very similar to having a conversation with friends and when you stop thinking about all the people in the audience, you get the flow, and you don’t lose it.”
Over 150 people in attendance at the game watched from bleachers on the sidelines and seating on the second floor.
Freshman Mitchell Basham said he came for the people rather than the game.
"Although I hate basketball, I came to support the staff, who I love," he said. "I came to support Jewel Larkins, Mr. Chapman and other staff as I love them to bits.”
Sophomore Rachel Olds said she enjoyed the energy at the game and is considering returning next year as a referee.
"I think the energy in the crowd was getting everyone so hyped up and it was really fun to watch," she said.
Despite the loss, students said they had a wonderful time playing and building connections with the team.
"This was my first (time) playing in the charity basketball game and it was overall great to make connections with other students to build a community for a great cause," junior Deschalyn Riase said.
Graduate student Bipin Medasani is from South India and has lived in America for a year.
"This is my first official basketball game in America," Medasani said.
Overall, he said the game was a very nice first experience for him.
Many members of the faculty/staff team, who won, said they had a great time scoring against students.
Joshua Chapman, the community police officer in Towers, said it was his first time playing in the charity basketball game.
“It was a lot of fun and very exhausting," he said. "We got the win, but we all had fun and that’s the important part."
Marceil Davis, an academic advisor in the College of Education and Human Services, said he has played in the charity game for the past five years, except in 2020.
“Over time, I’ve learned my limitations as I get older (such) as not running full speed down the court anymore and I try not to play defense too hard or I might get hurt,” Davis said. “One time I got elbowed in the eye and I had to go to work with glasses on, and today I got a bloody nose.”
“But we got the dub and I had to realize I’m not as young as I used to be, but I had fun knowing it was for a good cause," Davis said.
Harper said although MLK week has come to a close, he wants the campus community to continue in the great activist's footsteps.
“Be sure to get out of your comfortable friend groups,” Harper said. “Further realizing that getting to know others despite what they look like ... is the first step to push forward a movement.”
