Huntsville -- Fans who bring a new unwrapped, unopened toy to Johnson Coliseum for any of the three pre-Christmas December Sam Houston men's and women's basketball games will receive half-price admission to the contests.

The special "Holiday Toy Drive" at Bearkat basketball home games will
benefit the Good Shepherd Mission in Huntsville. The mission helps
underprivileged children during the holiday season who might not otherwise have an enjoyable Christmas.

The three "Holiday Toy Drive" games are SHSU men's games against
Loyola-Marymount Wednesday, Dec. 6 and Wisconsin-Milwaukee Friday, Dec. 22 and the Bearkat women's contest with Centenary Dec. 17.

Regular admission price to each game is $6 but fans who bring a toy will be admitted for $3.

"The Bearkat athletic department and Good Shepherd Mission are happy to partner together to help our community in this worthy cause. We are excited to offer area fans this opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit while enjoying three great basketball games," Sam Houston director of athletics Bobby Williams said. "Each one of the three contests matches our teams against a top NCAA Division I opponent. Loyola-Marymount was a finalist in last year's West Coast Conference tournament and Wisconsin-Milwaukee was an
NCAA tournament participant record with a 22-9 record. On the women's side, our past two meetings with Centenary have been decided by last minute baskets. These are three great games that we know the fans will enjoy."

The Good Shepherd Mission will have there van outside the main entrance with a collection box for all toys. Everyone who donates a toy will be given a voucher to redeem at the ticket window for half price admission. Each person must bring a toy to receive the half price admission.

The three opportunities to donate toys to the Good Shepherd Mission are:

December 6th - 7:00 PM - Men's basketball vs. Loyola Marymount
December 17th - 5:00 PM - Women's basketball vs. Centenary
December 22nd - 7:00 PM - Men's Basketball vs. UW-Milwaukee