Men's BB Hosts "Friends" Night for Friday Games in Sherwood

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Calling all Friends: There is "free" basketball on tap this Friday at Whitman College.

The college is waiving its usual admission charge for all adult volunteers and youngsters involved with the Friends of Children of Walla Walla, a local nonprofit that facilitates mentoring relationships.

Dr. Brown

Linfield College provides the opposition for Friday night's basketball. The women's game starts at 6 p.m. in Sherwood Center with the men's game to follow at about 8 p.m.

The Friends of Walla Walla program fosters one-on-one relationships between adult volunteers and youngsters (ages six to 17) in need of an adult friend willing to listen, encourage and care.

According to Dr. Mark Brown, the program's executive director, there are about 120 volunteers currently giving their time.

That small army of volunteers includes Whitman men's coach Eric Bridgeland and a handful of his players.

Bridgeland, now in his fourth season at Whitman, has had the same friend -- a middle school boy -- since he moved to the area in 2008.

"I enjoy being part of the program," Bridgeland says. "Cody and I are great friends.

"We fish, play board games, go to McDonald's, play frisbee golf, basketball and video games. We just hang out."

Dr. Brown, who is encouraging his volunteers to gather at Friday's games, will be on hand to sing the national anthem before the men's game. An accomplished musician, his life-long love of music includes 10 years of training in classical piano and trumpet. He and his band, Fork in the Road, specialize in jazz.

Coach Bridgeland

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Friends program can contact Dr. Brown by phone (509 527-4745) or e-mail (mark@wallawallafriends.org). Its office is located at 120 E. Birch St., suite 10.

At the moment, notes Dr. Brown, 35 to 40 volunteers are needed to help youngsters on a waiting list.

The program is a win-win situation for volunteers as well as the youngsters, Bridgeland says.

"There are a lot of kids out there who really need a friend," he says. "The program is especially short of adult male volunteers.

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CONTACT: Dave Holden
Sports Information Director
Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash.
509 527-5902; holden@whitman.edu