Barefoot Coach Scores 100,000 Pairs of Shoes for Samaritan's Feet
On a night when a basketball game became an avenue for a charitable contribution that will benefit kids on the other side of the world, the IUPUI basketball program turned the evening into an unqualified success. Head coach Ron Hunter, who roamed the sidelines in his bare feet as part of his commitment to Samaritan's Feet helped the organization raise over 100,000 pairs of shoes.
His original goal was 40,000.
On the court, the Jaguars (14-5, 6-2 Summit) turned in their second-best shooting night in the program's Division I history to roll to an 82-69 victory over the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies (9-10, 4-4). The Jaguars hit 33-of-51 (64.7 percent) from the floor, falling just shy of the program's D1 record of 64.8, set against Oakland in 2003.
Senior Austin Montgomery led five Jags in double-digits with 20 points while George Hill and Jon Avery added 17 each. Avery was a perfect 8-of-8 from the floor to accompany four assists and three rebounds in just 17 minutes off the bench.
However, the story of the night was Hunter's bare size 13's parading up and down in front of the bench, bringing national exposure to Samaritan's Feet and IUPUI.
Soles4Souls donated 40,000 pairs of shoes to the cause while IUPUI announced at halftime that the Department of Homeland Security would donate 10,000. Wal-Mart tossed in 25,000 around midday today while Hunter learned on ESPN's Mike & Mike in the Morning that Converse had committed to donating 15,000 pairs. Nine West donated 5,200 shoes on Wednesday.
In addition, according to Samaritan's Feet spokesman Todd Melloh, $20,000 had been raised for the cause.
"Every morning, we wake up and take for granted that we can put shoes on. That's not the case in many parts of the world," Hunter said. "I have two kids, and I could not imagine them not being able to have shoes.
"My guys were behind this 100 percent. They told me, 'Coach, you've got to do what you've got to do. We'll take care of the game.'"
For additional information on Coach Hunter's mission and how you can help: http://www.iupuijags.com/sports/2008/1/17/samaritansfeet.aspx?id=42
For additional information about the game: http://www.iupuijags.com/news/2008/1/24/MBB_0124084437.aspx
-From Athletics
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