October 30, 2023

Columbus State University will continue its holiday Women’s Basketball tip-off and campus lighting celebration on its Main Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

The action begins at 5:30 p.m. on the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. [map] basketball court where the Lady Cougars will take on Albany State for their season home opener. Admission is free for students, employees and community members of all ages.

Immediately following the game, the university will hold its official campus-lighting ceremony and complimentary holiday cookies on the lawn of the Student Recreation Center [map] — next door to the Lumpkin Center. The tree-lighting ceremony is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

While admission to the game and tree-lighting are free, fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations to the game to benefit the Columbus State University Police Department’s Cougars for Causes Food Drive. Those donations will benefit the CSU Food Pantry, which assists students on an emergency basis.

Like many community-based food pantries, Columbus State’s food pantry accepts donations of and distributes to students in need non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products on a short-term basis. Items currently in the highest demand are peanut butter and jelly, canned soups and vegetables, and packaged items like macaroni and cheese, granola bars, cereal and instant rice.

During the game, fans will also enjoy performances by the CSU cheerleaders, half-time games and prizes, and performances by the Northside High School Drumline and Clubview Elementary School Chorus. Not only will there be fun on the court, but there will be free kids’ activities and photos with Cody the Cougar, Columbus State’s beloved mascot.

Food and beverage concessions will be available throughout the game, but students, employees and fans can also visit the Cougar Café in the Davidson Student Center before the game for a holiday-themed meal beginning at 5 p.m. The cost is $8.50 per meal for those not using a campus meal plan.

The Lady Cougars’ Nov. 14 basketball game tips off home play for women’s basketball. Men’s Basketball begins home play the following day when they host Edward Waters University at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 15.

Season and single-game tickets are on sale now. CSU Athletics also offers an all-athletics pass that includes year-round admission to all regular-season Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Baseball and Softball home games.

Columbus State students are admitted free to all home games for free, as are university employees and a guest, with a valid university ID. Fans ages 18 and under are always admitted for free.

For more information on this and other Columbus State events, visit events.columbusstate.edu.

Media contact:
Michael Tullier, APR, executive director of strategic communication + marketing, Columbus State University, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu 

Related news coverage:
CSU set to host ‘Holiday Tip-off, Campus Lighting’ celebration (Nov. 9, 2023, WTVM-TV)