Genesis Challenge
It has been almost a decade since the St. Ambrose and Augustana women's teams have played in a cross-river, backyard-rival basketball game. The men's teams last competed in November of 2012.
Sunday, October 28, at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline, teams from the two QC schools clash in the Genesis Collegiate Challenge, an exhibition doubleheader that will help both Fighting Bees squads rev up in exciting fashion for their 2018-2019 seasons.
The women's game will tip-off at 2:15. The men's game will follow.
St. Ambrose also will be represented throughout the day by the Athletics Marching Band and our cheer squad. Sophomore Allison Hutson and first-year student Keegan Harry will sing the national anthem in advance of the men's game. The defending national champion SAU Dance Team will perform at halftime of the men's contest.
Admission and parking for the doubleheader are free, and concession deals will include $1 popcorn and $2 soft drinks. St. Ambrose will provide shuttle bus service to and from the arena for SAU students.
Sister Joan Lescinski, CSJ, PhD, president of SAU, noted St. Ambrose, Augustana and Genesis Health System all are partners in making the Quad Cities community strong and vibrant.
"We are very grateful to Genesis for the many ways they help St. Ambrose and Augustana flourish," she said. "Genesis is among our largest experiential learning and internship partners and employs countless St. Ambrose graduates. Genesis is the pivotal reason this fun basketball doubleheader will take place and we are extremely grateful for their work to make this event happen in a tremendous venue like the TaxSlayer Center."
The games are being played as exhibitions because the NCAA, the sanctioning body for Augustana athletics, does not allow its teams to count games played against schools playing under NAIA sanction on their finals records. That doesn't the teams won't be playing for pride on Sunday.
SAU Queen Bees senior Hailey Cook has been playing against Augustana junior Izzy Anderson since both were in grade school, including as high school rivals for Moline High School and Rock Island Alleman, respectively. The women share their excitement for one last clash in an OurQuadCities.com TV interview.
Read a Quad-City Times report on the doubleheader.
Finally, check out this hype video. We're coming for you, Augie.
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