Cougar volleyball hosts First Responders Day at Saturday’s game
While the Indiana University Kokomo volleyball team hosts a conference showdown with University of Rio Grande Saturday, it also will pay tribute to community first responders and remember the events of September 11, 2001.
The Cougars, currently ranked 13th in the nation, will offer free admission to Saturday’s 1 p.m. game to active and retired law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, 911 dispatchers, and emergency management personnel. Each will also receive two guest tickets, with tickets for other accompanying family members available at a discounted rate of $5 per person.
“One of our primary goals as an athletic department this season is to deeply engage with our community and invite more local groups to experience our games,” said Heather Hayes, athletic director and volleyball coach. “Given that this weekend marks the somber 25th anniversary of 9/11, we felt it was the most meaningful place to start.”
First responders will be recognized before Saturday’s game. Hayes added that there will also be a 9/11 commemoration at Friday’s game with West Virginia Tech, which starts at 6 p.m.
“Honoring those who sacrifice so much to keep us safe is a vital part of being a community-focused team,” Hayes said. “We wanted to take a moment during each of our games this weekend, on September 11 and September 12, to collectively remember the events of 9/11 and properly recognize both active and retired first responders.”
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