Students from Niagara College’s Recreation and Leisure Services program are planning a Jonathan Morrison Memorial Award Wheelchair Basketball Fundraiser.
The event, featuring the College’s Recreation and Leisure students versus the Brock Niagara Penguins – a wheelchair basketball team for people with special needs – will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brock University Bob Davis Gymnasium.
Morrison was a student in the Recreation and Leisure program who had spina bifida and played for the Niagara Penguins. After he died from cancer in July 2015, the College’s Recreation and Leisure department launched a $500 award in his honour. The award will be granted to a graduating student who has overcome momentous barriers in order to graduate from the College’s Recreation and Leisure Services program.
“He was a great guy and the students loved him,” said instructor and placement officer Devin Richardson. “The students were able to select the charity and it was only fitting they did a basketball tournament.”
Students in the Recreation and Leisure Services program are organizing the event as part of a Fundraising and Revenue Generation class. Richardson noted that four out of the five students who will be playing wheelchair basketball at the event are new to the game. One of the participating students is on the Niagara Penguins team.
“It is great to see our second-year Recreation and Leisure Services students get involved in more than what the classroom has to offer. Our Fundraising and Revenue Generation class is taking on a big task by raising funds for worthwhile causes in our community and world abroad,” said Richardson. “These students have tremendous passion and I feel there is no better way to gain an experience than to contribute first-hand in the design and delivery of these amazing fundraisers.”
Tickets are $10. All proceeds will go towards a memorial award of $500 in Jonathan Morrison’s name.
Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information visit www.facebook.com/Hoops4Jonny.
