Women’s b-ball team helps battle malaria in Africa
The Lady Aggies basketball team will fight the San Jose State Spartans at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Spectrum, and USU students can fight the spread of malaria in Africa when they attend the game, according to a press release by the African Organization for Academic and Athletic Development (AOAAD).
Utah State Athletics will also donate two dollars for each ticket purchased by non-students to help the nonprofit, according to the press release.
The AOAAD, co-founded by women’s assistant basketball coach Astou Ndiaye, will raise funds for 25,000 anti-malaria mosquito nets to be distributed by USU students in Senegal, West Africa.
Ndiaye, a former WNBA player, started the organization with her husband Ousmane Diatta as a way to give back to their native community, said the press release.
Basketball team members Banna Diop and Ndoumbe Diop are also from Senegal.
Students can help by donating money as they enter the Spectrum. The AOAAD will distribute raffle tickets at the entrance, and prizes will be given through a drawing at the halftime show, said AOAAD PR specialist Brea Heiner.
The donated prizes include movie tickets and coupons for Jamba Juice, Great Harvest, Sportsman Bike Repair, S.E. Needham Jewelers and an unannounced grand prize, Heiner said.
“USU students are known for … being involved in service and giving help to others,” Heiner said. “This is an opportunity to support a good cause and support the women’s basketball team as well.”
For more information, go to progress4africa.org
–brendon.butler@gmail.com