DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bethune Cookman University’s basketball team is trying to raise $100,000 to upgrade its gymnasium.
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For years, Eyewitness News has covered on-campus protests by students pushing for better facilities.
This weekend, there is an alumni event followed by a women’s and men’s basketball game where a check will be presented to the administration to get the fundraiser going.
Reginald Cunningham is the Chair of the Basketball Alumni Association and played for the team in the late 80′s and early 90′s. He said better facilities means better recruits.
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“To get over the hump, we need to have better facilities for the young students coming in because that’s an eye appeal,” said Cunningham.
Upgrading the facilities to keep up with the rest of the conference is the goal for Athletic Director and Head Coach Reggie Theus.
“All HBCU’s are underfunded and that is a problem in itself so we have to galvanize. We have to bring our alumni back, we’re trying to build that rapport with them so we can get into the mindset of giving,” said Theus.
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After making major upgrades to the football facilities, a better basketball arena is the next big project. The first $100,000 raised will help the team get a new scoreboard and scorer’s table.
Theus said the roof also leaks and there is no thermostat in the gym so the air is either on or off. He hopes eventually the entire gym can be rebuilt but for now, the team is focused on making necessary improvements.
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