CRONKITE SPORTS

Wildfires hit home for 2 GCU players; team to participate in fundraiser

Oct 20, 2017, 9:04 PM

GCU senior guard Casey Benson drives on a teammate at the first practice of the season, Friday, Sep...

GCU senior guard Casey Benson drives on a teammate at the first practice of the season, Friday, September 29, 2017, Phoenix. (Photo by Jamie Nish/ Cronkite News)

(Photo by Jamie Nish/ Cronkite News)

PHOENIX — For two Grand Canyon men’s basketball players, the wildfires in Northern California have hit home.

That’s why freshman guard Damari Milstead, who is from Hayward, and sophomore guard Oscar Frayer, from Oakland, are grateful their team’s exhibition game against Nevada Sunday will be a fundraiser for the North Bay Fire Relief, a fund to help victims affected by the recent wildfires in Northern California.

“I’m glad the NCAA gave us the opportunity to give back and help my community,” Milstead said.

The wildfires in Northern California have caused 42 deaths, at least $1 billion in damage to insured properties and destroyed roughly 6,900 homes and structures, the Associated Press reported.

“GCU is all about outreach and helping doing as much as they can,” coach Dan Majerle in a press release. “That’s something we really thrive on as a university. Anything that we can do to help people that need help, I think is a great opportunity. We’re very happy to do that and this is an awesome event for us.”

The Wolf Pack will host the Antelopes at 4 p.m. at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno. Admission for the game will be $5 and all proceeds will be donated to North Bay Fire Relief.

The NCAA recently issued a ruling that allows teams to play an additional exhibition game as long as it’s for charitable purposes. GCU joins other teams around the country that have added games to donate the proceeds that benefit causes like hurricane relief.

“We think it’s an unbelievably great gesture from the NCAA to allow these games to be played in support of the horrific events that have taken place over the last few weeks,” Nevada head coach and former Arizona State assistant Eric Musselman said in a press release. “This game came together very quickly thanks to Grand Canyon’s administration, coaching staff and our administration. We can’t thank Grand Canyon University enough, and especially Coach Majerle, for enthusiastically participating in this event and their help to support such a great cause.”

Frayer said, “Seeing this tragedy that’s happening right now, I think us going out there as a university is going to benefit it a lot.”

GCU will host St. Francis (Ill.) in its second exhibition contest on Nov. 2 at Grand Canyon University Arena.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Cronkite Sports

Cronkite Sports

Sports gambling in Arizona moves closer to reality

In the near future, the Arizona sports fan’s experience could include the ability to place bets inside sports venues while the action unfolds.

3 years ago

Higley quarterback Kai Millner committed to Cal this spring, despite visiting the campus just once ...

Cronkite Sports

Arizona high school football recruits still committing amid coronavirus

Despite visiting campuses few times if at all in some cases, class of 2021 high school football prospects from Arizona are committing at record rates.

4 years ago

(Photo via Cronkite News courtesy Mesa Community College Facebook)...

Arizona Sports

COVID-19 prompts junior colleges to push for cancellation of sports

The 2020-21 school year for Maricopa County community colleges may not include sports, schools await a decision by the district chancellor.

4 years ago

New Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez believes outreach in the Arizona Hispanic market is ...

Cronkite Sports

New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez looks to reach Latino community

New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez is the first Latino president and CEO in NHL history and hopes to reach new fans in the Valley.

4 years ago

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, who joined the Phoenix Mercury in the offseason, is ready to get the WNBA...

Cronkite Sports

Full pay, 22-game season in Florida on tap for Phoenix Mercury

Another league has agreed on a return-to-play plan in the month of July. This time it’s the WNBA, whose members include the Phoenix Mercury.

4 years ago

Phoenix Rising FC assistant coaches Peter Ramage (left) and Blair Gavin are awaiting details about ...

Cronkite Sports

Phoenix Rising players await news on resumption of USL Championship

Phoenix Rising FC and the USL Championship are set to resume play July 11 while players wait on more details for the return.

4 years ago

Wildfires hit home for 2 GCU players; team to participate in fundraiser