November 15, 2024

Columbus State University will continue its basketball-themed holiday tip-off and campus lighting celebration on its Main Campus on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

The action begins at 6 p.m. on the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. [map] basketball court, where the Men’s Basketball team will take on Francis Marion University 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 and hot chocolate on the Student Recreation Center [map] lawn— 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 is free, fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations to benefit the Columbus State University Police Department’s Cougars for Causes Food Drive. Donations will benefit the CSU Food Pantry, which assists students experiencing food emergencies.

Like many community-based food pantries, Columbus State’s food pantry accepts non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products. It distributes those donations to students in need on a short-term basis. Items currently in the highest demand are canned soups and vegetables, instant macaroni and cheese, and individually packaged snacks and instant rice.

During the game, fans will 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 also 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 [map] 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.

MORE ABOUT CSU ATHLETICS

The Cougars’ Dec. 3 basketball game tips off home play for Men’s Basketball. Women’s Basketball opens at home on Saturday, Nov. 30 when they host Wingate University at 3:30 p.m.

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 to all Athletics 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.

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Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu