UMPI to host ‘08 basketball tourney for scholarship

    PRESQUE ISLE – Students in the Physical Education Majors Club at the University of Maine at Presque Isle will host the Third Annual Ruel Parks Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 8 in Gentile Hall. The main purpose of the event is to raise money for the Ruel Parks Scholarship.    Ruel Parks was a non-traditional student at UMPI studying physical education. He tragically passed away due to a heart attack during the spring of his sophomore year. His fellow students started a fund to create a scholarship in his honor.
    “We’re raising money for this scholarship in my dad’s name as well as funding for kids to go to sports camps on campus or elsewhere, especially for those kids who don’t have the money to go,” Aaron Parks said. “People should come for the spirit of the game and because this is the kind of event my Dad would have organized.”
    The tournament will feature co-ed teams comprised of at least five people, with a rule that at least one female per team be on the court at all times. Cost to participate is $25, with a deposit due by Thursday, March 6. The top team will be awarded T-shirts.
    To enter, please provide the team captain’s name, phone number, e-mail, name of team, names of team members, including alternates.
    Registration forms are available at Gentile Hall or through e-mail. Deposits (checks or money orders) and team info may be sent to PE Majors Club, UMPI, Box 436, 181 Main Street, Presque Isle, ME, 04769. For more information, contact Aaron Parks at 521-4971, or Chris Standefer at 768-9457.