Aquinas College will once again be hosting a Christmas-themed basketball event in the Sturrus Center, in conjunction with a pair of AQ basketball games. Next Saturday (Dec. 10), the Aquinas basketball teams will host UM-Dearborn in a pair of conference matchups during the department's Holiday Hoops event.
After occurring every year from 2017 to 2019, Holiday Hoops was not held during the COVID pandemic in 2020. The event made its return last winter and will be held again in one week inside the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center.
The Aquinas women will take on UM-Dearborn at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Saints men facing the Wolverines at 3:00 p.m. Both teams were victorious in the return of Holiday Hoops last year, as the AQ women defeated Taylor and the Aquinas men topped William Woods. The Saints men are a perfect 4-0 in Holiday Hoops games.
The festive event is a combination of basketball and Christmas, with the entertainment kicking off at 12:00 p.m. with the arrival of Santa Claus. Fans and children can visit and take pictures with Santa beginning at noon and through 2:00 p.m., while enjoying special treats and Christmas music in the main hallway outside the gymnasium.
Also participating in the event are the Aquinas cheer and dance teams, as well as the AQ Athletic Band. They will all help provide a unique in-game environment during the doubleheader and add to the festive gameday atmosphere.
Continuing with the holiday traditions at these games, there will be a food drive in conjunction with the event, which has been a tremendous success in the past years. Next Saturday, any fan that brings two non-perishable food items will receive free admission to the games. Kids under six years old are also admitted free.
Items that are typically requested for the food drive are those that can be easily prepared via microwave and are shelf stable include: cans of soup, easy mac, canned beans and minute rice, Clif bars and protein bars, nuts and dried fruit, canned pasta, cereal and instant oatmeal, and individually wrapped snacks. The items will be donated to a local organization in need.
Fans are also encouraged to wear their best/ugliest Christmas sweater and holiday apparel. Come start the Christmas holiday early next Saturday in the Sturrus Center for the fifth Holiday Hoops event.
