Monday night’s basketball game will be for a good cause.
The annual Pros v. Joes game, which is Monday at 7 p.m. in the Cardinal Gym, is held to honor Abou Traore.
Traore was an international student at SVSU from 2005-2007, studying to become a doctor. He played soccer, held an on-campus job and was preparing to become a resident assistant.
In August 2007, Traore drowned in a canoeing accident.
After his death, the Abou Traore Memorial Scholarship was established to help students succeed.
Pros V. Joes raises money for this scholarship through a basketball game in which members of the SVSU varsity men’s and women’s basketball teams (the “Pros”) play against SVSU faculty and staff (the “Joes”).
Associate Dean for Student Life and Leadership Programs, Bryan Crainer has participated in Pros v. Joes every year since the event first started, usually as a referee. This year, he will be playing on the Joes team.
“The game is a very unique way to honor a great student and his legacy, while raising money for a scholarship in his name,” Crainer said. “I had the opportunity to get to know Abou during the summer leading up to the accident, so this event has a special meaning for me.”
Men’s basketball team player Damon Bozeman will be competing on the Pros team.
“This event is for a great cause, a memorial scholarship, and who wouldn’t want to beat up on and embarrass the professors, coaches, and advisers in a game of basketball?” Bozeman said.
Donations will be accepted at the door to support the scholarship fund. Student groups will also perform during the game, and prizes will be given out.
Bozeman said he predicts the Pros team will win the game.
“I think we will because we are bigger, faster and stronger than our opponents,” he said. “My role will be to score as many points as I can against the other team.”
According to Crainer, last year’s loss for the Joes is inspiring them for this year’s game.
“Last year, my good friend and colleague Jason Wolverton missed a game winning three-pointer at the buzzer. The Joes team is now a year older and with age comes wisdom,” he said. “We will not be drawing up a play for Jason Wolverton this year, but rather someone that we have some amount of faith will actually come through under pressure.
“My prediction is that Paco (Fulgencio) scores as time runs out to lift the aging Joes team past the youthful and athletic Pros. It also helps that we pay off the scoreboard operator,” he said.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Monday night, with tipoff at 7 p.m.
