In what could be seen as a grudge match, mothers will face off against mothers this weekend on the basketball court. But these are no typical moms. In fact, their sons happen to be athletes of the professional persuasion.
On Saturday, members of the Mothers of Professional Basketball Players (MPBP) will take to the court and face members of the Professional Football Players Mothers Association (PFPMA) in the first-ever “Hoopin’ for Health” charity basketball game. The game will take place at Olympia High School in Orlando, Fla., at 6 p.m.
Both rosters are filled with mothers of some well-known stars. The MPBP roster includes Robin Paul (Chris Paul’s mom), Sheryl Howard (Dwight Howard’s mom) and Flo Allen-Hopson (Ray Allen’s mom), while the assistant coach and head coach are the mothers of Shaquille O’Neal and former star (and current ABC broadcaster) Mark Jackson, respectively. Meanwhile, the PFPMA roster features Char McNabb (Donovan McNabb’s mom and president of the PFPMA), Denise Wayne (Reggie Wayne’s mom) and Jay Freeney (Dwight Freeney’s mom).
The game is part of the 2010 MPBP Annual Conference, and tickets to the game can be picked up for $10. In addition, both organizations are using the game to raise money for the United Negro College Fund, and, as EURweb notes, “are uniting in the mission to inspire women of all ages to become more active and mindful of weight related illness such as heart disease.”
MBBP has done charitable work in the past, donating $30,000 to the University of Nevada Las Vegas Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach Program last year, while giving the same amount to the Orlando Boys & Girls Club in 2008. Meanwhile, the PFPMA, founded in 1977, has worked with various charities over the years.
Photo by brainloc via stock.xchng.