December 22, 2017
The Trine University basketball teams start the new year in a new home with the opening of the MTI Center.
The women’s basketball team will be the first to play in the new building on Jan. 3 at 7:30 pm and it will be “Community Hoopla Day” with prizes given away to fans, including a free t-shirt to the first 400 spectators. There will be halftime activities that include an opportunity to win a jersey. The Community Hoopla Day game will be free admission.
The first game inside the MTI Center will feature the top two teams in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and two nationally-ranked squads as the Thunder women host Hope (Mich.) College.
Both teams split the season meetings last year as the Thunder went on to claim its first MIAA regular-season championship and eventually the conference tournament title. Hope and Trine are both ranked in the top-10 nationally in both the D3hoops.com and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) polls.
The Trine men will play their first game in the MTI Center on Jan. 10 against Adrian (Mich.) College at 7:30 pm. It will be the official Grand Opening of the building with a tailgate prior to the start of the game.
Free t-shirts will also be given away and following the game, there will be a $200 half-court contest. The first fan to make the half-court shot will win the $200 gift card.
Trine has won six of the last seven meetings against Adrian, including both matchups a year ago.
Trine University honored Kathy Eikenberry, known along with her husband Mike for her service and philanthropy throughout the Greater Fort Wayne area, with its annual Woman of Distinction Award during the university’s annual Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on Oct. 3.
Trine University honored alumnus Dr. Tomas Furth, namesake of the university’s T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, as trustee emeritus during its annual Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on Friday, Oct. 3.
Rick Henvey, chief executive officer for Parkview Health, was named Trine University’s Pillar of Success during the university’s Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner on Oct. 3.