Jan. 23, 2010
Live Webcast and Live Stats | 
Twitter Updates | TV: None | Radio: 560 AM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt’s annual fan appreciation day and a Haitian relief project highlight events surrounding the Commodore women’s basketball game Sunday against Mississippi State.
All tickets for the yearly “Jam the Gym” game are $1 and fans are encouraged to bring in new or gently worn shoes which will be donated to Haitian earthquake victims by Soles4Souls. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT at Memorial Gymnasium.
The game marks an important Southeastern Conference matchup for the 20th-ranked Commodores (14-5, 3-3 SEC). Vanderbilt nears the midpoint of the new 16-game SEC schedule at .500, looking to defend its home court and avenge an earlier road loss at Mississippi State (12-7, 3-3).
The Commodores are led by senior Merideth Marsh, who surpassed 1,100 career points in a road win at Auburn on Thursday. Junior point guard Jence Rhoads returned in that game after missing a week within an injured hand to score 12 points, dish five assists and grab six steals.
Mississippi State has lost three of four since defeating the Commodores in Starkville. Four Lady Bulldogs are averaging in double figures, led by Alexis Rack’s 19.7 points per game.
Family friendly activities during Sunday’s game include a halftime mascot basketball game featuring Mr. C, Big C and many local favorites.
Six of Vanderbilt’s last 10 regular season games will be played in Memorial Gymnasium. After Sunday, the Commodores remain home to play host to Alabama on Thursday. Other highlights of the remaining home schedule include a Big Monday matchup with Tennessee on Feb. 8, the annual Pink Out game to raise awareness of breast cancer (vs. Kentucky, Feb. 14) and Senior Day versus South Carolina (Feb. 28).
About Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 5.5 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States. Soles4Souls has been featured in Runner’s World, Ladies’ Home Journal, National Geographic’s Green Guide and The New York Times. It has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, BBC, CNN and thousands of regional news outlets across North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Anyone can join our cause, and we need your help. Visit www.giveshoes.org