Thousands of hoops fans fill coliseums around the country to witness the fast-paced action of NCAA men's basketball. Area youngsters will have the opportunity to come out to the OU Athletics Center 'O'rena to experience a college basketball game when Oakland hosts the NCAA men's basketball "Take a Kid to the Game" program, Thursday, January 11. With the purchase of one adult reserved ticket two kids, ages 13 and younger, will be admitted free to watch the Golden Grizzlies battle the Thunderbirds of Southern Utah. This one-of-a-kind initiative will be promoted at more than 500 men's and women's collegiate basketball games across the country during the 2000-01 season. The NCAA men's basketball "Take a Kid to the Game" program is entering its third year. "Oakland University is excited to be able to take part in the NCAA basketball Take a Kid to the Game program," Assistant AD/Marketing Barry Neuberger said. "The Golden Grizzlies want young children to experience what it is like to watch college basketball in a great setting like ours." Tickets for this special game can be purchased at the Athletics Center Box Office. For more information, contact 248-370-4000 or 248-370-4034. The Take a Kid to the Game program is a coordinated effort between NCAA Basketball, Host Communications, Inc. and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Host Communications, Inc. created Take a Kid to the Game as a method to encourage alumni and fans to take their own kids to arenas to experience intercollegiate athletics. Host, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bull Run Corporation (NASDAQ: BULL), is a sports, lifestyle and affinity group marketing and management company based in Lexington, Kentucky.