FERRIS BASKETBALL COACHES TO COMPETE IN LOCAL CHARITY GAME

Sall, Fisk Headline List Of Celebrities For Showdown With Harlem Ambassadors

Back In Action

Ferris State head basketball coaches Bill Sall (top) and Tracey Fisk (bottom) both enjoyed standout collegiate playing careers. They will return to the court against the Harlem Ambassadors Wednesday, Oct. 27, at Wink Arena (Courtesy Photos)

The contest, which is slated to begin at 7 p.m. (EDT), will serve as a fundraiser for the Mecosta County Community Foundation. The foundation, in conjunction with the FSU Athletics Department, is hosting the event with all proceeds supporting charities in Mecosta County. The contest is part of the Harlem Ambassadors' 2004-05 "Around The World Tour".

"This event supports the foundation and all monies raised will stay here in Mecosta County to help a variety of organizations," said Bill Scheible, who serves as President of the Mecosta County Community Foundation. "We encourage everyone to come out for a fun and entertaining evening. It's a chance to not only see local all-stars and the Harlem Ambassadors compete, but also help the foundation at the same time."

In addition to Sall and Fisk, the celebrity team will include a variety of local business people including Karl Linebaugh (Chemical Bank), Gary Trimarco (Gary Trimarco Automotive), Sam Daugherty (Mecosta County Medical Center), Bob Hampson (WBRN Radio), Paul Jefts (Farm Bureau Insurance), Denny Lerner (Lerner Financial), Steve Miller (Edward D. Jones Investments), Jerry Neilsen (Big Rapids Products), Mike Mohnke (Mohnke's Funeral Home), John Norton (Big Rapids Pioneer), Pat Currie (Currie's Amoco), Bob Watson (Wendy's), Kami Dempsey (Chippewa Hills Girls Basketball Coach) and Bob Davis (Carter's Foods). Scheible will coach the local all-stars.

The Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Show features high-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling, and comedy routines led by Ladč Majic, Queen of Show Basketball. The only woman coach/player of an all men's professional team, Ladč Majic has played more show basketball games than any woman in history. Unlike other basketball shows, the Harlem Ambassadors do not travel with a pre-selected opponent or present a choreographed show. In addition to having a wholesome entertainment product, the Ambassadors also promote the values of staying in school, staying off drugs and fostering racial harmony. The Ambassadors slogan is "It's Not Your Grandfather's Basketball Show".

The Harlem Ambassadors touring show has performed in nearly all 50 states and over 15 foreign countries. The team has also performed at more than 100 different United States military bases worldwide in all service branches. Now in their seventh season of operation, the team differs from any other show basketball operation because the Ambassadors feature a woman comedy performer. The show is based out of Fort Collins, Colo., and previously appeared at Wink Arena in October of 2001.

Tickets may be obtained by calling the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888 or are also available at Bill Scheible State Farm Insurance along with Patterson's Flowers in Big Rapids. Ticket prices are $6 for adults or $4 for FSU along with high school/grade school students. Youth ages six and under will be admitted free of charge.

Sall, who guided the Bulldogs to the 2003-04 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) North Division Men's Basketball Regular-Season Championship, was a standout collegiate basketball player at Calvin College from 1985-1990. A two-time (1989-90) second-team National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III All-America performer, he currently ranks as the Knights’ third-leading all-time scorer (2,063 points) and led Calvin to three (1986, 89-90) conference championships, four NCAA Division III tournament bids and the 1990 NCAA-III Final Four during his collegiate career.

Fisk, who presently ranks as Ferris’ all-time winningest women's basketball coach with a current 106-61 (.635) career mark, guided FSU to a 21-10 overall record a season ago and the program's second-ever NCAA Division II Tournament appearance. She played three years of collegiate basketball at NCAA-I Illinois State University (1990-93) and one with NCAA-II Northern Michigan University (1993-94). In 1991-92, she led ISU in assists while finishing seventh in the Gateway Conference. Fisk also earned Newcomer of the Year and Best Defensive Player Awards at NMU after leading the team in three-point field goals (54) and assists (131) in her only season.

The Bulldog men's and women's basketball teams officially open their 2004-05 campaigns at Wink Arena Tuesday, Nov. 16. The Bulldog women will square off against Lewis (Ill.) in a 6 p.m. (EST) non-league contest while the men's team will host Cornerstone in non-conference action at 8 p.m. (EST).