Feb. 22, 2011

ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Oakland University athletic department, along with its 18 intercollegiate sports, raised $4,124.10 in cash and 459.5 pounds of canned food in just two weeks as part of the 2011 Summit League Food Fight competition. The Golden Grizzlies' men's basketball team won the competition between the sports by raising just over $21 per student-athlete, edging the men's swimming and diving team.

"The Summit League Food Fight is such a great way to give back to the community that we live in," said Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Services Holly Kerstner. "This year the Athletic Department worked very hard to increase the amount of money raised and it would not have been possible without the contributions from the faculty, staff, students and surrounding community members."

The Summit League schools have teamed up to fight hunger in their third annual "Food Fight." These teams have designated 20 "Food Fight" games during the basketball season as part of the league-wide food drive. At the end of the "Food Fight" schedule, the school that raises the most amount of food, measured in pounds, will be deemed the winner and awarded The Summit League Food Fight trophy. The Summit League and its member schools raised a combined total of 35,000 pounds of food in the first two years of the program.

Oakland finished by raising over 11,000 pounds of food for Lighthouse of Oakland County in Pontiac. OU won the 2009 Summit League Food Fight challenge and finished second in 2010 by raising $2,100 dollars and 175 pounds of food for families in need.

Joining Oakland in the Food Fight effort was the Oakland University Residence Life Halls, Detroit Pistons/PS&E and Genisys Credit Union. All three made significant contributions to this great cause. Several Oakland student-athletes were recognized earlier this month during halftime of a Detroit Pistons game for their efforts in making a difference in the community.

"A special thank you goes out to the Residence Life Halls, The Palace and Genisys Credit Union for their outstanding contributions," said Kerstner.

-OAKLAND-