Teachers to take on celebrities in hoops

Paying college tuition is far from a slam dunk for many students, so an area parents group is doing its part to help out.

Local celebrities and teachers will hit the basketball court tonight at Waubonsie Valley High School for the Indian Prairie Parents Council's celebrity basketball game to raise money for college scholarships.

The Harlem Globetrotters-style games begin with middle school students facing off at 7 p.m. today at Waubonsie's main gym, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora. The main event, which pits local celebrities against District 204 staff, begins at 8 p.m.

"The whole idea of this was a district-wide event that broke down any kind of boundaries or barriers and everybody comes together as a district to have fun," said Jean Donovan, president of the parents council.

"There's no difference between us. At the end of the day, we're all about (District) 204 as a community working together."

Donovan coordinated the game with Annette Kopp, president of the Neuqua PTA, and Rachell Kitchen, parents council second vice president.

Local celebrities coming out for the event include Babatunde "O.J." Oshinowo Jr., a Neuqua Valley graduate from the Chicago Bears practice squad, who will coach the team; Grammy Award-winning director Jonathan Lauff; ABC 7 weekend sports anchor Jeff Blanzy; Blues Brothers and Elvis impersonators; Naperville and Aurora city council members; and Dolly McCarthy, Liz Spencer and Jeff Mahoney from NCTV.

Naperville Mayor George Pradel will provide play-by-play commentary.

Donovan can't share the surprises they've got up their sleeves for the wacky basketball game, but she said the group encouraged the celebrity players to be creative.

"It's kind of an anything goes mentality within reason … in the name of fun and in the name of what's best for District 204," she said.

Between quarters, students from all grade levels will provide entertainment, including choirs, dancers and pep bands. Both Neuqua and Waubonsie Valley high school booster clubs also will provide concessions for the event.

Tickets are $7. Proceeds will help fund scholarships for graduating Neuqua and Waubonsie students.

The parents council, which is the umbrella group of all of the district's PTA organizations, currently awards six scholarships each year and would like to either add more or increase the amount of the existing ones.

"One of the key pieces of PTA is commitment to enriching education for kids," Donovan said.

"Schools are responsible for the education of kids. IPPC and PTA try to enhance that, and what a great opportunity a scholarship is to help kids pursue opportunities in college with that help."

For details, visit ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Calendar.aspx?id=16535.

If you go

What: Indian Prairie Parents' Council celebrity basketball game

When: 7 p.m. middle school game; 8 p.m. celebrity vs. staff game

Where: Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora

Tickets: $7

Info: ipsdweb.ipsd.org/ Calendar.aspx?id=16535