Dec. 14, 2006

DENVER - All 14 members of the University of Denver women's basketball team as well as the coaching staff joined forces with The Children's Hospital to spread holiday cheer to the children spending time at the hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

The Pioneers and patients spent time doing holiday arts and crafts. The women signed autographs, sang songs and spread holiday cheer throughout The Children's Hospital.

"As soon as we walked in there was such a good holiday feeling," said junior captain Brooke Meyer (Denver, Colo.). "It was nice to be around the kids and see their faces light up when they saw us. One little girl even told us it was the best day of her life. She was so precious. It's nice to be able to give back to the community."

The DU women's basketball team is working on conjunction with The Children's Hospital on its first annual Assist-A-Thon. The team has set a goal of $20,000, with 10 percent of all money raised going to benefit The Children's Hospital Foundation. For every assist made during the 2006-07 season, the team is asking that a donation be made in the amount of the donor's choice. All donations are 100% tax deductible, and donors will receive a tax deductible receipt from the University of Denver. Currently the Pioneers have raised $4,729.40 on the way to their goal. For more information, please contact DU assistant women's basketball coach Shelby Kealy at (303) 871-3967 or skealy@du.edu.

DU returns to the court as the team begins its Sun Belt Conference season Saturday, Dec. 16 in Little Rock, Ark., against UALR at 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on www.denverpioneers.com with the game being called by Mitch Hyder.