Silent Night Makes Some Noise

12/01/2015 

When the SUNY Cortland men’s and women’s basketball teams meet Elmira College in separate contests Dec. 9, don’t expect to hear much cheering from Red Dragon fans. At least not for a while.

It’s not that the Cortland players aren’t likely to score. It’s just that the normally enthusiastic fans will be intentionally stifling their usual cheers, shouts and exclamations regardless of what happens on the court.

Welcome to “Silent Night,” a new SUNY Cortland tradition that asks fans to remain completely quiet until the Red Dragons score their 10^th point as part of a holiday celebration and fundraiser for Toys for Tots.

All general public ticket sales will be donated to the local Toys for Tots charity and admission is free to anyone who brings a toy donation. The event features giveaways and prizes, an ugly sweater contest, pictures with Santa and more.

“It’s awesome to be able to attract a crowd and play for a good cause,” said men’s basketball team co-captain Travis Hefele, a senior recreation management major. “The 10^th point will certainly bring great energy and hopefully give us a great lift.”

SUNY Cortland’s first “Silent Night” basketball event in 2014 was a huge success, attracting more than 500 spectators and collecting 50 donated toys.

“The turnout last year was tremendous, but we’re looking to raise the bar event further this year with more raffles, giveaways and the addition of costume and ugly holiday sweater contests," said Assistant Athletic Director Courtney Wormuth, advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). “This event brings together two aspects of our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee which are the focal points of our mission:  community outreach and the student-athlete experience.”

This year’s event in Corey Gymnasium begins at 5:30 p.m. with the women’s game and at 7:30 p.m. for the men’s contest.

All home athletic events are always free to Cortland students, faculty or staff members. Ticket prices for the general public will be $4 for adults and $3 for students, unless they bring a new toy to help the cause.

“This is a big night for athletics,” said Jaclyn Lawrence, assistant director of athletics for events, marketing and development. “We try to pack the gym, adopt a holiday theme, and just a have a lot of fun and collect toys and money for Toys for Tots.”

 Prepared by public relations intern Jenel Colon