Bridgeport Basketball Set Host "Donate Life" Saturday On January 22nd

Bridgeport, Conn.-On Saturday, January 22, 2011, the University of Bridgeport women's and men's basketball teams will be hosting an East Coast Conference doubleheader in UB's Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium with the New York Institute of Technology. Those two contests have been designated as "Donate Life" games, as all proceeds from the day (all tickets sales and a variety of raffles) will be donated to the Donate Life Connecticut organization to help raise awareness about organ and tissue donations to help save lives. 

This event is the first of its kind connected with University of Bridgeport basketball, and it is the brainchild of first-year UB head women's basketball coach Stephanie Del Preore to honor her late father who passed away in 2002 after a courageous battle with liver and kidney disease.

Stated coach Del Preore, "January 22nd will be a very special day for me, as it is our first ever "Donate Life" Saturday. In 2002, I lost my father to a battle with liver and kidney disease. In 1996 he received a double liver/kidney transplant which prolonged his life six more years. I was fortunate to have him at every basketball game I played from middle school to high school, and then my freshman and sophomore year at Marist College. Losing him was the worst thing I've ever went through, and basketball was my outlet. I always said that when I became a head coach I was going to do something to honor my father, my hero and my inspiration."

Action will get underway on Saturday, January 22nd with the women's game at 1:00 p.m. followed by the men's game at approximately 3:00 p.m.  Tickets, which are available at the door, are $5 for adults and $ 2 for senior and children.  All tickets sales from the afternoon will benefit Donate Life Connecticut

Representatives from Donate Life Connecticut will be at the game to answer any questions fans have about their organization and about how to become and organ and tissue donor.  Also, anyone who signs up to become an organ and tissue donor that day will be entered into special drawings for Visa and American Express gift cards.

Throughout the day, fans will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets with all monies raised going to Donate Life Connecticut.  Prizes, which will be drawn at both the women's and men's game, include two sets of New York Yankees tickets, New Jersey Nets and Bridgeport Bluefish tickets, gym memberships, a variety of gift cards, including Dick's Sporting and Stella & Dot Jewelry, plus fabulous gift baskets from donors like the New Jersey Devils and several high-end make up companies.

For more information on the University of Bridgeport basketball "Donate Life" games, please contact head coach Stephanie Del Preore at 203-576-4728.

For more information on the Donate Life program and how to register to be an organ and tissue donor, please visit the Donate Life website at www.DonateLifeNewEngland.org.