SunUte Community Center, in collaboration with Fort Lewis College, presents the Native American Heritage NCAA Games powered by NABI — the annual Native American Basketball Invitational. On Saturday, Nov. 4, Fort Lewis College and Haskell Indian Nations University basketball teams will showcase during this free community event. Prior to the games –Friday, Nov. 3– SunUte will also host a Kickoff event which includes early bird ticket pick-up, meet and greet with the FLC athletes, and a free throw competition.
The idea for this event came about during a conversation between SunUte and FLC. With the support of NABI Foundation President, GinaMarie Scarpa as well as the collaboration of SunUte and FLC, the event was made free. It has been a long time goal to bring FLC athletics to the Ignacio community, breaking the stigma and helping youth recognize that attending college as well as participating in collegiate athletics is achievable for anyone.
In a recent interview with SunUte Director, Robin Duffy-Wirth, she outlines the importance and the goal of this event. “This is important to [SunUte] because it’s our community,” Duffy-Wirth said. “The biggest goal of all in working with Fort Lewis, is just breaking the ceiling for these kids–and that’s what is so cool about Haskell–is that the kids see themselves on that court and then they’re like ‘I can do anything’.”
SunUte Recreation Manager Kelsey Frost said that she looks forward to this collaboration and commended the SunUte staff. “I am excited to see Haskell and the Fort play here at SunUte, it is a great opportunity for both colleges,” Frost said. “Shoutout to all the staff–everyone is playing a vital role in getting the ball rolling, it doesn’t take just one person to do it, it takes the whole team and all of us deserve one big shoutout.”
As part of the Native American Heritage NCAA Games, SunUte is also hosting the Ignacio Get Fit week, a walking challenge leading up to the main event. Participants have a goal of walking at least three miles and must complete a log sheet, which can be picked up at the SunUte front desk. Participants can turn in their completed log sheets during the Kickoff event for a chance at winning prizes donated by the NABI Foundation.
The Kickoff event begins on Friday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. with the meet and greet with FLC Athletes and coaches. Following the meet and greet, the Free Throw Competition will begin– age groups include; 10 and under, middle school, high school, and 18+. Finalists of the Free Throw Competition will shoot during half time of the men’s game on Saturday, Nov. 4. During this event attendees can also take advantage of early pickup for their tickets, there is a limited number of tickets with a max allowance of four tickets per one person pickup. There is a reserved amount of 100 tickets for Southern Ute tribal elders and tickets are first come, first serve. Tickets will also be made available Saturday, Nov. 4 at the SunUte Front Desk.
Tip-off for the Native American Heritage NCAA Games powered by NABI is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4 beginning with the women’s game, and 7 p.m. for the men’s game. Although the event is free, monetary donations are still welcome to sponsor one-year SunUte memberships for local youth and all proceeds will go to the youth scholarship funds. Attendees are encouraged to wear their FLC or Haskell colors and gear to the main event. Duffy-Wirth commends the entire SunUte Community Center staff for their assistance in the coordination of this upcoming event, as well as Athletic Director, Travis Whipple and FLC athletics –specifically the FLC Basketball Program– NABI Foundation President GinaMarie Scarpa and the support from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
For more information regarding the event, please contact SunUte Community Center at 970-563-0214.