IC PRSSA Chapter's Make-A-Swish Raises Money for Make-A-Wish

Arhlene Flowers, 4/22/2009  ·  0 comments

Tune Squad, Pro Bracket Winner of Make-A-Swish

Mexican Fighting Frogs, Semi-Pro Bracket Winner of Make-A-Swish

Ithaca College’s Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) hosted its annual “Make-A-Swish for Make-A-Wish” basketball tournament on April 5 in the Ben Light Gymnasium in the Hill Center on Ithaca College campus. The tournament raised money for Make-A-Wish, an organization that grants wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. This year IC PRSSA raised over $500 through the tournament, raffles, and food sales. 

The tournament, which took place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., was played five-on-five, double-elimination style and broken up into one pro and two semi-pro brackets. The winner of the pro bracket was Tune Squad and the winner of the semi-pro bracket Mexican Fighting Frogs. Each winning team received various gift certificates to local businesses and t-shirts. Over 200 people participated in the event with 15 teams playing in the tournament, and each team donated $60 to the event. 

“The day went incredibly smoothly. All of the teams showed up on time, played fair games, and had a great time while raising money for charity,” said Rachel Pancoe, vice president of Ithaca College's PRSSA Chapter. 

Refreshments were available during the event from Jimmy Johns, Papa Johns, Dominos, Italian Carry Out, Napoli, Shortstop Deli, and Wingz Over Ithaca. The DJ, Simon Sez, played music throughout the day. T-shirts were given to players, referees, scorekeepers and other volunteers to commemorate the event.  

IC PRSSA would like to thank all the wonderful volunteers who helped to make this event a success, including the Cornell Men’s Basketball team. Through the volunteering of both IC PRSSA members and students alike by keeping score, keeping time, selling tickets, refereeing or even playing in the tournament, IC PRSSA was able to donate $500 directly to the Make-A-Wish foundation to help children’s dreams come true.

 “Make-A-Swish for Make-A-Wish” is the largest event IC PRSSA hosts all year. IC PRSSA has been hosting the event for several years each spring. Each Tuesday throughout the school year, the organization met in committees, which were in charge of every aspect of the event, including sponsorships and logistics to publicity.