LAWTON, Oklahoma (December 17) – In the midst of preparing for their huge Saturday night battles, the Cameron Aggie women’s and men’s basketball squads have found time to give back to the Lawton/Ft. Sill Community. CU travels to Wichita Falls, Texas, to battle the always formidable Midwestern State Mustangs at 6:00pm (women) and 8:00pm (men) this weekend, but spent time earlier this week helping out those in need.

This week the Aggie men’s team participated in the Salvation Army Angel Tree and bought gifts for three local children. Cameron’s players approached the coaching staff about helping out with the annual project, and each member of the basketball program was more than happy to get involved.

“Our guys wanted to do this because they understand how important the little things such as toys are when you are growing up,” head men’s coach Wade Alexander said. “Not everyone on our team grew up with a lot of luxuries, so they could really relate and really cared about this project. We had a lot of fun with this.”

The squad picked out three local children from the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree and then went on a city-wide shopping spree. The entire squad visited local stores and businesses around the community in search for the perfect gifts.

CU assistant men’s coach Nate Gamet produced a video of his team’s experience of giving back to the community. The video is posted on the men’s basketball page on the Cameron Athletics website: goaggies.cameron.edu.

Cameron’s women’s basketball team, along with other members of the CU Athletic Department, also helped out with the Salvation Army this week by ringing bells outside of JC Penney at Lawton’s Central Mall. In the freezing temperatures, the Aggies rang bells and offered holiday cheer to hundreds of shoppers in hopes of raising money for those less fortunate.

“The student-athletes need to learn how to give back to their communities now,” Coach Alexander said. “That way when they become adults they understand how important it is to become invested in their communities.”

This year’s installment of the Cameron-Midwestern State, Red River Rumble begins Saturday evening at 6:00pm. The Cameron (3-6) and Midwestern State (2-6) women’s squads tip off at 6:00pm with the Aggie men (8-1) and nationally-ranked #10 Mustang men (10-0) beginning at 8:00pm.
 
The games were originally scheduled with 2:00pm and 4:00pm start times.

A lot is on the line this weekend as Midwestern State’s women’s squad has won three straight over Cameron, including last year’s 71-54 game in the Aggie Gym.

Furthermore, the Aggie men have not defeated the ‘Stangs in Wichita Falls since the 1978-1979 season. MSU also bounced the CU men from the LSC Championship tournament last season.

“It’s going to be an uphill battle, that’s for sure,” Coach Alexander said. “But it’ll be a good test for Cameron.”

All of Saturday night’s action will be broadcast locally on 100.9FM. Aggie fans are encouraged to attend the game to rally their teams, as MSU’s campus is only 55 miles away from Lawton.