The men’s basketball team looks forward to their visit each year to Pineview Boys Home in Evart, MI.  This year was a little extra special as the team was invited to share in the annual Christmas party.  “We go up each year to visit with the kids at the home,” said Coach Dan George, “but this years schedule was really difficult to find a day that was good for everyone.  When we finally were able to go, they invited us up for the Christmas party.  Everyone had a great time.”

The Tigers arrived in the afternoon and spent some “quality downtime” just playing video games, board games, and watching movies with the kids.  The program began about three hours later and the team sang Christmas carols, put on skits with the staff and boys, and had a great meal with everyone at Pineview.  Before the meal, the boys opened their presents from the staff and others in the community.  The Tigers gave each boy a Grace basketball shirt and a poster.  After the meal, the players put on a dunking exhibition at the kids request.

“I worked and coached here for a long time,” said Gary Bailey.  “I know what it means to these kids to have visitors and someone to spend time with them.  I look forward to this every year.  The Director of the home, Paul Derscheid, told me afterward how nice it was to have the team there and how postitive male role models were so important for the boys.  He invited us back next year for the Christmas party.  I know the guys still like to go up in the summer too for some outdoor activities so we may have to go a couple of times next year.”

The Tigers will return to action on December 28 & 29 in Sioux Center, Iowa against Dordt College and Northwestern University.  The Tigers now stand at 14-4 going in to the break.