In a heartwarming display of community support, the Creighton Bluejays and Purdue Boilermakers basketball teams are set to face off in a special exhibition game that will benefit those affected by the devastating tornadoes that ripped through eastern Nebraska on April 26th. The game, scheduled to take place at the CHI Health Center Arena in downtown Omaha on Saturday, promises to be an exciting and meaningful event for sports fans and disaster relief efforts alike.

Uniting for a Cause: Creighton and Purdue's Tornado Relief Fundraiser

Connecting through Shared Experiences

The connection between the two teams runs deeper than just a friendly exhibition match. Rob Anderson, a spokesperson for Creighton Bluejays Athletics, revealed that one of Creighton's former assistant coaches, Paul Lusk, is now on the Purdue staff. Lusk, who lived in the area affected by the tornadoes, reached out to the Creighton coaches about organizing a special preseason game to support the relief efforts. "His son went to Elkhorn North, and even though he didn't live here anymore, he was still affected by it," Anderson explained, highlighting the personal ties that have brought these two programs together.

Channeling Funds to the United Way of the Midlands

The proceeds from the game will be donated to the United Way of the Midlands, an organization that has established a disaster relief fund to assist those who are rebuilding their lives and preparing for future storms. "Unfortunately, there's always another disaster that's unforeseen that might be two months from now, might be two years from now, whether it's tornadoes or something else," Anderson acknowledged, underscoring the importance of having a reliable support system in place.

A History of Community Engagement

Creighton has a long-standing partnership with the United Way of the Midlands, and this exhibition game is just the latest in a series of community-focused initiatives undertaken by the university. "We try to do our part in the community with different events, and certainly raising lots and lots of money for, in this case, the United Way of the Midlands disaster relief fund is a great thing," Anderson said, highlighting Creighton's commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those they serve.

Expanding the Reach of Disaster Relief

Beyond their partnership with the United Way, Creighton has also donated to the American Cancer Society, demonstrating their willingness to support a wide range of charitable causes. This exhibition game, however, is particularly significant as it brings together two top-ranked basketball programs to rally around a shared cause. "Unfortunately, there's always another disaster that's unforeseen that might be two months from now, might be two years from now, whether it's tornadoes or something else," Anderson noted, underscoring the importance of building a strong foundation for disaster relief efforts.

A Highly Anticipated Matchup

The game itself promises to be an exciting affair, with both the Creighton Bluejays and Purdue Boilermakers ranked inside the top 15 in the Associated Press poll. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Central Time on Nebraska Public Media, giving fans across the state the opportunity to tune in and support the cause. Tickets are still available at the CHI Health Center Arena box office and DJ Sokol Arena on Creighton's campus, with lower bowl seats priced at $30 and upper bowl tickets at $15.As the Creighton Bluejays and Purdue Boilermakers take the court, they will not only be competing for a preseason victory but also rallying the community to support those affected by the devastating tornadoes. This exhibition game serves as a powerful reminder that sports can be a unifying force, bringing people together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.