Hatheway to help with Mike Fitz games

Basketball | FHS, LHHS to play at Currie centre

By The Daily Gleaner

The Mike Fitz Memorial Basketball Games has signed a three-year presenting sponsorship agreement with Hatheway Orthodontics.

For the fourth year, Fredericton High and Leo Hayes High schools’ junior varsity and varsity basketball teams will take to the court in support of the Mike Fitzgerald Memorial Fund .

The fund is named in honour of Mike Fitzgerald, who played basketball for both high schools, and lost his battle with brain cancer in 2008. Administered by the Fredericton Community Foundation, the fund was set up as a way to pay back the support Mike and his family received during his illness. The fund awards scholarships and bursaries to deserving students at both high schools and has provided financial support to young basketball players who would not have otherwise been able to play.

‘Mike hated the fact that not everyone had access to the opportunities to participate in local sports as he did,’ Don Fitzgerald, Mike’s father, said in a news release. ‘He was determined to help disadvantaged youth, and give a little back to the community that had given him so much through his life and illness.’ ‘Mike’s desire to give back to his community has inspired many people, including me,’ Bob Hatheway said. ‘Giving back to the community that supported me is something I believe in too, and this event is a great way to honour Mike’s memory and profile some great local athletes.’ This year’s games will be all be held on the main floor of the Richard J. Currie Center.

The girls’ varsity teams will tip off on Friday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m., with the boys’ game starting at 8 p.m. The junior varsity games will be held on the following day, Saturday, Jan. 28. The girls’ game starts at 7:15 p.m. and the boys’ at 9:15 p.m.

Admission is $5 per evening. Raffle tickets are also available for a chance to win one of three prizes: shoot from centre court to win a car, an iPad 2, and an Xbox 360 prize package. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20. All proceeds from the games will go to the Mike Fitzgerald Memorial Fund.