Students could win scholarship by shooting hoops

Almost $3,000 is up for grabs with the new Sea Lion shootout, which gives students the opportunity to win money by shooting hoops during PLNU home games.

Jake Gilbertson, director of community life, came up with the Sea Lion Shootout in October in an effort to get more students involved in school sporting events. Danny Barnts, the associate athletic director, and Andrew Borland, the director of school spirit, put the idea into action.

“We decided this would be an awesome opportunity to give students a chance to win some scholarship money and build hype around our basketball games,” Borland said.

To participate in the shootout, participants must make a layup, free throw, three pointer and half-court shot in no particular order in 25 seconds. The contestant has unlimited tries to make these shots until the time runs out. The scholarship amount starts at $1,000 and goes up $250, with the help from ASB funding, every time someone does not win. About eight people have not successfully completed the shootout.

Students picked to participate in this event sign up during the men or women’s basketball home games by entering their name into a drawing at the table located in the front of the gym.

“It is completely random and open to any PLNU student,” said Borland.

The lucky contestant is announced at the four-minute media timeout during the first half of the games.

Joshua Adams, a freshman broadcast journalism major, was the second contestant for the Sea Lion Shootout worth $1,250.

“I’ve played basketball my entire life and played varsity throughout high school,” Adams said.

Unfortunately Adams was still stopped by the three-pointer during the shootout.

I was disappointed that I lost, but it was fun,” he added.

The stakes were even higher for Kirby Challman, a junior political science major, when he was picked to be a contestant for the Sea Lion shootout for $2,000 during the Homecoming game.

“When I heard my name, I went berserk,” Challman said. “I then realized I am terrible at basketball.”

Stumped by the free throw, Challman was unable to win the scholarship.

The next Sea Lion shootout for $2,750 will take place Dec. 10 when PLNU plays Cal State LA.

“We hope this will be an annual thing [and] through ASB, we will be able to do that,” said Danny Barnts, assistant athletic director for communications.

Photos courtesy of Danny Barnts