NICOLE ALBERTSON
News Assistant
The women’s basketball team will be hosting its second annual “Time Out for HIV” tournament over Thanksgiving vacation at Firestone Fieldhouse. Started by Head Coach Julie Rousseau, the tournament aims to raise awareness and educate the community about HIV/AIDS.
“We want people to rally around us in this effort to make the community aware,” Rousseau said. “We have a lot to be thankful for and we use this as a vehicle to say ‘thank you’ and an opportunity to give our time and our resources.”
The tournament will consist of two games on Friday and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with three invited teams, the University of Wisconsin, University of Texas, Arlington, and the University of Mississippi (OLE Miss).
“The tournament brings in pretty big teams and the caliber of teams involved are special,” said junior Jessica Ross. “Any team that we play is going to be a competitive game.”
Each game will include media time outs in which HIV/ AIDS facts will be read to the crowd. Celebrity Dean Cain (“Louis & Clark”) is scheduled to read some of the facts to the audience.
“We are very grateful that celebrities are coming out to support us with their time and effort to this project,” Rousseau said.
The women’s team is contributing to the event by researching the facts that will be read at each break.
“My dad is from Kenya so where I come from [HIV/AIDS] is a huge problem,” said freshman Joy Lelo. “I think it is great that we brought awareness to this.”
“Time Out for HIV” is also raising money for Malibu Presbyterian Church the help begin reconstruction since its building was lost in the fire. Donation will be collected for the church at the door.
“This is an opportunity for the community to come and give back and donate money to rebuild their church,” Rousseau said.
Rousseau began the “Time Out for HIV” tournament last year after working with her church to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and donate money to the Rainbow Sparrow Foundation in South Africa. All of the donations for HIV/AIDS from the tournament will be donated to the Rainbow Sparrow Foundation.
“This [tournament] has a special place in [Coach Rousseau’s] heart,” said sophomore Miranda Ayim. “There is a special emphasis for the church and it is always beneficial to raise awareness. This is a way for our team to help.”
This tournament is not only a time to bring awareness, but also a time for the Waves to prepare for their Spring season.
“We have two powerhouse conferences coming to play and we want to make sure that we have the crowd to cheer us to victory,” Rousseau said.
The 2006 premier game did not generate many donations, Rousseau said. But while the tournament was not very successful with donations, Rousseau still considered the tournament a success because of the awareness and education that came from it.
This year the “Time Out for HIV” has been combined with the annual Thanksgiving tournament. In previous years the two tournaments were held on weekends directly after each other. But the back–to–back tournaments was not beneficial to the players, Rousseau said.
“We hope people will truly make a sacrifice and show their attendance,” Rousseau said.
“This is the need that needs to be met.”
11-15-2007
