May 7, 2009

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri was one of 32 winners in the NCAA Division I "Pack the House" Challenge, a second-year national effort in which conferences and institutions compete to build attendance. Missouri was rewarded for its effort in drawing 3,546 fans to the Feb. 7 contest against Kansas, which the Tigers won 74-60.

Mizzou was awarded $500 from the NCAA the nonprofit organization of its choice, which Mizzou elected to give to The Shelter, an emergency shelter that provides services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims. Earlier this year Missouri donated all proceeds from its "Pink Zone" event to the Mid-Missouri Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The NCAA selected 32 "Pack the House" winners, one from each of the 31 conferences and one from a group of independent institutions. Selections were based on marketing plan creativity and attendance criteria.

"We believe this initiative has served as a catalyst to increase attendance, create excitement and enhance exposure for our women's basketball programs," said Sue Donohoe, NCAA vice president of Division I women's basketball. "Institution personnel committed a great deal of time, effort and resources to this program and the results were extremely positive. This program provides great `best practices' and examples of success for institutions that are seeking to `grow' women's basketball and these success stories will continue to strengthen efforts in the future."