Untitled 4While this year is officially the 3rd annual Donkey Basketball fundraiser at Northwestern, the tradition goes back more than three decades.

The game will follow a sweetheart dinner Feb. 14 to raise money for the FFA Boosters and the Athletic Boosters at Northwestern Jr./Sr. High School.

“We used to have it 35 years ago,” said Cheryl Sigler, one of the organizers. “As a youngster in school, I remember going to donkey basketball.”

Donkey basketball is a basketball game where people have to ride on donkeys to go up and down the court to score. The donkeys are oftentimes not cooperative with the riders’ urgings to go in any certain direction.

“It’s comical,” Sigler said. “Every year we have different students and different coaches riding the donkeys. It’s entertainment.”

Northwestern also held donkey basketball in its old high school building before it was torn down.

“We planned to have it in the middle school for old time’s sake but we sold so many tickets the old gym wouldn’t hold the capacity, so we held it in the high school gym,” Sigler said. “The superintendent said that when the new school was done, we could have it in the new school since it did so well.”

This year’s games will consist of FFA students against FFA alumni and an athletic student team against coaches. The winners of the two games will then compete in a championship game.

Before the championship game, there will be an intermission where people can try to shoot a 3-pointer for $1. If the shot is made, the person gets $2. There will also be donkey rides for children 9 and younger for $1.

The donkey basketball game starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are needed for anyone older than 5 and are $8 at the door and $6 pre-sale.

There will also be a sweetheart dinner before the game at 4:30 p.m. Tickets for the dinner at $8 each or two for $15. Dinner includes pork roast, baked potato, green beans, dessert and a drink.

“The only dates that were available on a Saturday for the donkeys was Feb. 14 or in May,” Sigler said. “Once we knew it was going to be on Valentine’s Day, we planned a sweetheart dinner.”

During the basketball game, concessions will be available that will include leftover pork and baked potatoes from dinner, hot dogs, pizza, chips, soda and candy.

For pre-sale tickets, contact Sigler at 845-1600 or Jennifer Berner at 605-2495 or visit www.nwathleticboosters.us or www.nwffaboosters.com.

First Group 2x2
First Group 2x2
Local News

Stories on people, places, events and businesses right here in Western Clark County.

Local Government

Meetings and news from local Boards of Education, Township Trustees and County Commissioners.

Sports

Arrows, Bees & Warriors; we cover all local high school sports, as well as local semi-pro and adult leagues