Photo by: Michael Furman

The Pioneer women’s basketball team is looking for male college students to compete against and help the athletes during practices heading into the 2009 season.

“We are about one and a half weeks away from the start of another basketball season at DU,” said Yvonne Hawkins, assistant women’s basketball coach. “And we’re looking for practice guys to help the team.”

These practices do not only help the ladies on the Pioneer team, it greatly benefits the male athletes who help.

Men who participate in the practices get to register for classes early, receive official DU athletic gear and get to develop friendship with the players, all while experiencing the life of a NCAA athlete.

The team has been using men from the university for a number of years for this purpose.

The University of Denver is just one of many colleges to participate in this growing strategy around the country. It really helps the girls get in playing game condition.

Men who want to tryout for this position do not have to be NCAA caliber to participate.

“When playing guys, regardless if they are NCAA caliber or not, they are simply stronger and faster than most girls,” said Ashly Robinson, a senior. “Men help us to play at a faster pace, helps us to box out bigger players, and provides a different element to the game that allows us to compete at a higher level.”

The practices help build a great dynamic for the entire team by mimicking game time situations.

Scrimmages, or scenarios, typically play 5-on-5, keeping score of all facets of the game: points, steals, rebounds, and passes. The winners of the scrimmage receive a reprieve from running at the end of practice.

Anyone who is interested in participating may contact any of the Lady Pioneers players or the team’s assistant coach Yvonne Hawkins.

If there are any questions, contact information is available at www.denverpioneers.com.