PEORIA, Ill. -- The Bradley men's basketball team has produced the two best single-season totals for 3-point field goals made in Missouri Valley Conference history the last two seasons and more prolific long-range shooting from the Braves in 2008-09 will benefit the Jimmy V Foundation four Cancer Research. Peoria-based Maui Jim Sunglasses is encouraging Bradley fans to join together in its support of the Jimmy V Foundation by sponsoring the Maui Jim 3-Point Challenge during the upcoming Bradley men's basketball season.
For every 3-point field goal made by Bradley during the 2008-09 campaign, Maui Jim Sunglasses will make a $10 donation to the Jimmy V Foundation. The company also is encouraging fans to sign up for the challenge on the Bradley Athletic Department's official website, www.BradleyBraves.com. For every pledge made through the website registration, participants will be entered into a postseason drawing for a pair of Maui Jim Sunglasses, as well as two tickets to the 2008-09 Bradley Basketball Postseason Banquet. All pledge gifts, which will be tax deductible, will be invoiced at the conclusion of the season and should be made payable to The Jimmy V Foundation. For more information email John Searby, Bradley Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs, at jsearby@bradley.edu.
After adopting its spread motion offense two years ago, Bradley set the Missouri Valley Conference single-season record with 349 3-pointers made during the 2006-07 season and followed with 346 more treys last year. The team's 695 combined 3-pointers made the last two years are the third-most in the country, behind only VMI (778) and Houston (705).
The Braves will open the 2008-09 season Friday by hosting in-state rival Illinois-Chicago in a 7:05 p.m. tilt at Carver Arena. Bradley fans will benefit from two give-away promotions at Friday night's game, which is being billed as a White Out. All fans are encouraged to wear white Friday, but also will receive a white Bradley Basketball t-shirt, courtesy of Maui Jim Sunglasses, Methodist Medical Center and the Wingate by Wyndham. In addition, Friday is Country Financial Schedule Poster Night and everyone in attendance will receive a 2008-09 Bradley Basketball schedule poster. Tickets for Friday's game range from $9-20 based on location and may be purchased in advance at the Bradley Ticket Office at Shea Stadium (1523 W. Nebraska Ave.), the Carver Arena Box Office or online at www.BradleyBraves.com.
