Battle of the Buffs: Volleyball vs. Football for charity

The Lady Buffs gather together after the match. Photo by Matt Watkins.

The Lady Buffs volleyball team hosted the first annual WTAMU Battle of the Buffs fundraiser on April 28. The event consisted of an exhibition volleyball match between the Lady Buffs and some current WT football players. The purpose of the event was to raise money for the HALI Project’s “Where the Learning Continues” program for developmentally disabled students at WT.

The attendance for the fundraiser, held in the Box, was estimated to be around 150 to 200 people. The event raised $1,000 for the HALI Project, which is only a small portion of the $15,000 needed annually to keep the project running.

“That’s a good figure for a first time event like this,” Brad Thompson, founder of the HALI Project, said. “I think it’s always important to let people know how the amount raised compares to the need.”

The Lady Buffs came out victorious in the match two sets to one. The Lady Buffs won the first set 25-19. Then, the WT football team took the second set by a 25-18 score. The third set came right down to the wire with the Lady Buffs taking it 16-14.

“I thought it was a great event with a great crowd for a great cause, and it was a very fun night,” WT football coach Don Carthel, who coached the Lady Buffs for the event, said. “The football team was very competitive playing with the girls.”

Dana Hanselmann, the graduate assistant volleyball coach, summarized the purpose of the two team’s participation in the event.

“Our goal was really, in cooperating with the football team, to raise awareness for the program,” Hanselmann said.