WESTERVILLE - The Otterbein University men's and women's basketball programs are jointly hosting the 45th annual Smokey Ballenger Classic in the Rike Center on Sunday, Dec. 29, and Monday, Dec. 30. The event features a combined eight games over the two days and benefits some good causes.
 
Instead of formal ticket prices, admission to the event will be a non-perishable food item to help support The Promise House and Westerville Area Resource Ministry (W.A.R.M). Any cash donations will go to support the Coaches vs. Cancer cause.

The Promise House is a student-led community resource center that helps served under-resourced students and strives to break down socioeconomic barriers to success. Services include a community café, campus food pantry, peer advocacy, volunteer opportunities and educational workshops. Items currently in need at The Promise House include hygiene products, toothbrushes, jams/jellies, salad dressings, pasta, spaghetti sauce, snacks (i.e. fruit snacks, cookies, chips, pretzels) and drinks.

W.A.R.M. is a local non-profit organization that provides compassion, short-term assistance, educational services and spiritual support to encourage individuals and restore dignity/hope.

The full schedule for the two-day event is below. Links for live stats and live video are located on each team's schedule page. The event program is located here.

MEN:
12/29 = Otterbein vs. Olivet, 4 p.m.
12/29 = Hanover vs. Denison, 6 p.m.
12/30 = Otterbein vs. Hanover, 4 p.m.
12/30 = Olivet vs. Denison, 6 p.m.

WOMEN:
12/29 = Hamilton vs. Oberlin 12 p.m.
12/29 = Otterbein vs. Albion 2 p.m.
12/30 = Hamilton vs. Albion 12 p.m.
12/30 = Otterbein vs. Oberlin 2 p.m.

Dwight C. "Smokey" Ballenger was a four-sport letter winner for Otterbein from 1935-39 who was well known for his ways of contribution. After graduation, "Mr. Otterbein" began a 50-plus year legacy as a dedicated alum in perpetuating Cardinal athletics. He was part of Otterbein's inaugural Hall of Fame Class in 2008.

Stay tuned to otterbeincardinals.com and all of our social media outlets for ongoing coverage of all programs.