The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

A MAJOR Division I men’s college basketball programme will use its platform and partner with the Treasure Cay Community Foundation (TCCF) to bring awareness and aid to the Hurricane Dorian relief effort.

The No.12 Seton Hall Pirates took on the No.3 Michigan State Spartans last night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and hosted the TCFF on the arena’s concourse as they accepted donations.

Each donation of at least $50 received a trucker hat detailed with the Bahamian flag in a heart-shaped logo.Lea Miller of Complete Sports Management (CSM) and Tegwen Hunt Hastedt, a board member of the TCCF, were on hand at the Prudential Center spearheading the initiative and its focus on rebuilding the Cooper’s Town Primary School.

Seton Hall Athletics donated proceeds from the men’s basketball team’s exhibition games on October 25 vs Bloomfield and on October 29 vs Misericordia to Catholic Relief Services to aid in post-Dorian relief efforts.

Seton Hall is one of several schools bound for CSM’s Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis, November 27-29. Simultaneously, the Pirates’ women’s team will be playing in Bimini at the Junkanoo Jam from November 28-29.

In addition to Seton Hall, the 2019 B4A will feature another outstanding field, setting the stage for the Gonzaga Bulldogs (WCC), North Carolina Tar Heels (ACC) and Michigan Wolverines (BIG 10) to headline the 8-team group.

The remainder of the field also includes the Oregon Ducks (PAC 12), Iowa State Cyclones (BIG 12), Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC) and Southern Mississippi Eagles (C-USA).

Several schools are set to participate in community outreach efforts including Alabama’s visit the Ranfurly Home, North Carolina’s visit to the Bahamas Children’s Emergency Hostel and Oregon’s visit to Sandilands Primary school.

Tar Heels senior forward Brandon Robinson is also spearheading a communication and no-profit senior project where he is raising money and awareness for the post-Dorian relief. Four members of the field are currently ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press Top 25 Poll including No.6 North Carolina, No.8 Gonzaga, and No.12 Seton Hall and No.14 Oregon. The Tar Heels participated in the 2014 tournament where they finished 5th. Gonzaga and Michigan were both in the 2015 event where they finished third and fifth respectively. The TCCF was founded in 2004 following hurricanes that passed through Abaco. It is a Florida, not-for-profit corporation. Its mission is to assist the fundraising of entities that perform charitable services in Treasure Cay and surrounding Northern Abaco communities.