It’s become a yearly tradition for the Brock Badgers, and for the university’s Executive Director of Sports and Recreation, Melissa Krist, it’s more than just a basketball game.
“Brock’s Paint the Meridian Red Basketball games provide an unforgettable experience for our student-athletes and fans in a remarkable community venue,” explained Krist when contacted by The Niagara Independent.
The (8-4) Badgers Women’s team will take on the (7-5) McMaster Marauders at 6 pm, while the Brock Men’s team (9-3), and winners of six straight games meet McMaster (1-11) at 8 pm.
“It truly is an honour to showcase both our community pride and school spirit with our QEW rivals as part of a tradition that connects us with the whole Niagara Region,” said Krist.
Reigning Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Athlete of the Week, and St. Catharines native, Madelyn Weinart, who leads the province in scoring with 19.3 points per game, can’t wait to perform on the grand stage in front of her hometown.
“Every time we play at the Meridian Centre, it’s a special experience,” Weinert told the Brock News. “As someone who grew up in Niagara, it means so much to represent Brock in front of my hometown. The energy in the arena is always incredible, and having family, friends and local fans there makes it even more unforgettable. It’s a reminder of how much this community supports us.”
On the men’s side, guard Devante Hackett, loves the atmosphere playing inside Niagara’s largest sporting facility brings.
“Paint the Meridian Red is such a special event for our team and the community,” said Hackett to the Brock News. “It’s more than just a game, it’s about bringing everyone together and feeling the support of the Brock and Niagara communities. The energy in the arena is unmatched, and it’s an honour to be a part of something that means so much to so many people.”
Brock Men’s Head Coach Willy Manigat echoed many of Hackett’s comments, and hopes Friday’s event will inspire the youth of the region to aspire to become Badgers one days.
“This is the first time in a long time that we are hosting this game for back to back years which is an opportunity to bring out this great basketball fan base onto yet another event in our region,” explained Manigat.
“We hope our fans and supporters will come out to support both our women and men’s program. These types of games help to grow the game and hopefully inspire young basketball players to get to this level one day.”
This will be Badgers Women’s Head Coach Shae Dheensaw’s first Paint the Meridian Red.
“The Niagara region and the local community provide Brock student-athletes so many unique opportunities, and Paint the Meridian is a perfect example of this,” Dheensaw explained to the Brock News.
“We constantly talk about ways to provide an elite student-athlete experience. Playing in an arena full of supporters takes that experience to another level that sets us apart from our competitors.”
Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.ca
“We hope to see everyone come in red this Friday,” added Krist.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
