Lipscomb University Athletics has announced the launch of its new Adoption Rally program, a groundbreaking venture designed to help families defray the mounting costs of adopting children while filling the stands at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena for men’s basketball games. This season, in an unprecedented move, Lipscomb’s new Adoption Rally program will give 100 percent of game day gate revenues from its most prestigious sport to families in the process of adopting children.
The Adoption Rally advisory board, made up of Lipscomb alumni and supporters who have either adopted children or were adopted themselves, will award one grant to an adopting family in middle Tennessee for each of Lipscomb’s men’s basketball home games this season starting with the Bisons’ game against Austin Peay on Monday, Nov. 28.
Grant recipients will receive all ticket revenue for their assigned game outside of season ticket and advance group sales. Grants will be awarded to families who display a financial need and present the best marketing plan for convincing family, friends, fellow church members, neighbors and other groups to attend their assigned games. The program was designed as a true win-win for Lipscomb and the adopting family. As attendance rises, so does the size of the check that will be given to the adopting family.
“The Adoption Rally program has the potential to become our blue field,” said Brent High, Lipscomb’s Associate Athletic Director for Spiritual Formation, referencing Boise State University’s football field that is known for its unique blue turf. “Only at a place like Lipscomb would a president, CFO and an athletic director sign off on trading what could potentially be thousands of dollars in gate revenue for an opportunity to assist families here in our community as they provide hope for children throughout the world. This is just one more example of how we are trying to model what it means to live out your faith wherever you are. It’s another way to be a Bison.”
Applications for Adoption Rally grants are being accepted immediately. The deadline to apply for a 2011-2012 grant is November 18. Complete details and an online grant application are available at www.adoptionrally.com.
“It will be an exciting moment during the second half of each game when we announce how much money was raised,” said High. “However that moment won’t hold a candle to the moment when we can bring that little boy or girl out on the floor once they arrive in Tennessee and celebrate how the Lord used a basketball game to bring us together and help give them a future.”
Reprinted with permission from Lipscomb Athletics and Brent High