KINGSVILLE, Texas (Men's Basketball) – The wait is over as the new era of Javelina basketball begins tomorrow, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. when Texas A&M University-Kingsville tips off its 2014-15 season at home against Lake Erie College as part of the Emerald Beach Hotel Javelina Men's Basketball Classic.
Live stats and video will be available and can be accessed by visiting the official home of Texas A&M-Kingsville athletics, JavelinaAthletics.com. The Blue and Gold look to get off to a quick start in front of their home crowd at the Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court.
Several promotions are set as fans are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys throughout the months of November and December. Fans wishing to participate in the Toys for Tots program are encouraged to donate in order to distribute toys as gifts to needy children in the Kingsville community during the holiday season.
At each of the home events listed below, there will be designated "Toys for Tots" boxes located near the entrance in the Gil H. Steinke Physical Education Center and in the main lobby of McCulley Hall. If you donate an unwrapped toy, you will receive free admission to the following game.
· Nov. 14
th: Men's Basketball vs. Lake Erie – 7 p.m.
· Nov. 16
th: Men's Basketball vs. Henderson State – 4 p.m.
· Nov. 19
th: Men's Basketball vs. St. Mary's – 7 p.m.
· Nov. 22
nd: Women's Basketball vs. Texas A&M International – 2 p.m.
· Nov. 25th (DH): Basketball vs St. Mary's/Our Lady of the Lake – 6 p.m./8 p.m.· Dec. 13
th: Women's Basketball vs. St. Edward's – 5 p.m.
Toys for Tots began in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles, collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. Since beginning the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program in 1947, Marines have distributed more than 452 million toys to more than 209 million needy children. This charitable endeavor has made U.S. Marines the unchallenged leader in looking after less fortunate children at Christmas. Over its life span, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has supplemented local toy collections with more than 98 million toys valued at more than $694 million, plus provided promotion and support materials valued at over $8.5 million. The Hogs are coached by former Javelina and first-year head coach
Johnny Estelle. A two-time letterwinner for TAMUK, Estelle set a single-game record for most three-pointers with nine in a Lone Star Conference Tournament contest in 1996.
Estelle earned Most Valuable Player honors in 1995-96 after also setting a school record with 88 swipes. During his two seasons in Kingsville, he finished with 742 points, 214 rebounds, 211 assists and 138 steals. He is joined on the sidelines by
Mark Mathew and
Omar Gonzalez.
For complete coverage of Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball, please follow @JavelinaMBB on Twitter, like our Facebook page (/JavelinaNation) or visit the official home of Texas A&M-Kingsville Athletics at JavelinaAthletics.com.
