Student media organizations from three Arizona universities hooped it up at Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday in the first ever "Blazeketball" tournament.
The charity event was organized by the Blaze 1260 AM with the proceeds going to the East Valley Child Crisis Center.
Mike Bauer, sports director at the Blaze and event organizer, said this charity was chosen because April is recognized as National Child Abuse Awareness month. He said the Blaze raised at least $750 on Saturday and expects another $250 after more donations.
Bauer also said he was excited about opening up the event to the media organizations at other universities and he hopes that the event grows in the future.
"We had a lot of people interested," Bauer said. "We are all in the same field, so this is a great opportunity to learn from each other and share stories in a fun atmosphere."
Students from NAU's K-JACK radio, the "NAU-Live!" news broadcast and UA's KAMP radio traveled to Wells Fargo Arena to participate in the charity event. The Associated Students of ASU, The State Press and SDTV also battled it out.
"This is for a good cause, and a good way to have fun on a Saturday afternoon. And to get a chance to play in Wells Fargo Arena is amazing, too," said Steve Hershey, SDTV anchorman and producer.
Blazeketball stemmed from an annual friendly basketball game played by members of the Blaze and The State Press. As part of the Blaze's 20th anniversary, station members decided to redesign the event and invite other organizations to participate.
"We didn't want to keep it exclusive to just the Blaze and State Press, so we figured why not extend the invitation to everyone?" Bauer said.
Although the event was for charity, the competitive atmosphere of the event was a way for some organizations to ignite some new rivalries.
ASASU executive vice president Michael Komenda said a little hostility between some of the organizations participating was part of the fun on the court.
"It's very competitive out there, and there is a lot of history working for and against each team. It's symbolic retribution," Komenda said.
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Reach the reporter at benjamin.honingford@asu.edu.
