Second-Annual Damon Brooks Fundraiser Set for Saturday

TOWSON, Md. — The Goucher men's basketball program will host its second annual fundraiser for former player Damon Brooks this Saturday when it begins Landmark Conference play against the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Last year, over $5,000 was raised for Brooks, who suffered a spinal cord injury in an off-court incident in April, 2012. Tickets for Saturday's doubleheader are $5, and all proceeds will go towards his rehabilitation. The men's game begins at 5 p.m., followed by the women at 7 p.m.

"We talk a lot about family in our athletic department," Athletic Director Geoff Miller said. "And from the minute we heard about Damon's injury, we knew that we had to come up with a way to help support him. Having this fundraiser is the best way to bring people's attention to the seriousness of spinal cord injuries and the fact that Damon is going to have needs for the rest of his life."

The athletic department will also hold a silent auction throughout the afternoon, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and continuing through halftime of the women's game. Items in the auction include tickets to Ravens, Capitals and Wizards games, an autographed Rafael Palmeiro baseball, an autographed All-Star jersey from former Wizard Caron Butler, equestrian riding lessons, a Hungarian dinner for eight and memorabilia from the Goucher bookstore. The auction will take place in classroom 209 in the Decker Sports & Recreation Center, located just beside the gymnasium.

Additional donations for Brooks will also be collected throughout the event. For those who cannot attend on Saturday but would like to support Damon's rehab, donations can also be made online here at Damon's patient page through the HelpHOPELive foundation. More information about HelpHOPELive can be found here.

"As far as Coach Trevino and I are concerned, we're planning on having this fundraiser every year for as long as he needs our support," Miller concluded. "We're encouraged that he's talking about coming back to Goucher for the game. We can't wait to see him, and we're hoping that he'll get the chance to see our first conference win of the season."