Jan. 30, 2008

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The recent joint effort between the Stephen F. Austin athletics department and the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce was met with great results -- the two biggest home basketball crowds of the season and two big wins.

SFA Athletics and the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce teamed up for Cram the Coliseum, a two-game promotional package to increase attendance at Lumberjack and Ladyjack basketball games. As part of the promotion, the Chamber mailed out 8,500 tickets donated by SFA Athletics for use at either of two games -- the Lumberjacks' contest against Lamar on Jan. 17, and the Ladyjacks' showdown with Sam Houston State on Jan. 26.

The response was encouraging. In the men's game, a season-record estimate of 4,309 fans packed the house for SFA's 81-75 victory over the Cardinals. The following week, the Ladyjacks also set a new high mark for home attendance for the year when they welcomed 2,228 patrons to the Coliseum to watch their 73-40 pasting of Sam Houston State. The game also featured a video tribute to late former coach Sue Gunter and the unveiling of a new permanent memorabilia display in Gunter's honor located outside the Ladyjack Basketball office suite, which was renamed in remembrance of Gunter.

Both teams will play home games this week, beginning Wednesday night with the Lumberjacks' contest against Texas State. The game is set for a 7 p.m. start. Saturday, the Ladyjacks will host Texas-Arlington in a 6 p.m. tip.

-- SFA --