Polish-American Heritage Day Part of EMU Basketball Cross-Promotional
By Raymond Rolak
YPSILANTI– On Saturday, February 11, 2012 Eastern Michigan University will be hosting Polish-American Heritage Day along with their scheduled basketball doubleheader. The women will take on Kent State at 2:00 p.m. and the men host perennial Mid-American Conference power Ohio University at 4:30 p.m.
Ethnic Heritage Days are growing area of sports cross-promotion. All the Mid-American Conference teams are finished with non-conference play and looking toward the MAC Championship weekend in Cleveland, March 7-10, 2012.
The EMU women boast high scoring guard Tavelyn James, an All-America candidate, and rebounding whiz Olivia Fouty while the men’s team features Polish national Kamil Janton.
The afternoon will be highlighted with a Polish art show, educational and historical exhibits. Polish dance troupes, folk music and Polish food items will also be featured. Children’s activities will be in abundance and the ever popular EMU mascot, ‘SWOOP’ will entertain. The ‘EMU SPIRIT’ dance team will be conducting a pregame dance tutorial for the attending dance groups.
For out-of-town visitors there is a special basketball package available. Polish fraternal organizations, Polish National Alliance and PRCUA are sponsoring the dance activities. The E-Club, an organization of athletic letter winners will be presenting the Hall of Fame inductees during halftime of the men’s game.
Halftime entertainment will also include a folk dancing spectacular and the song renditions of Polish pop sensation Magda Kaminski.
Included with a game ticket will be a free chance at a $1,000 MacBook among other prizes. This type of cross-promotion has been very successful with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball teams that have active ethnic populations in their cities.
