HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will partner with Norfolk State’s SAAC will host a penny drive on Saturday, Jan. 30, in conjunction with the basketball doubleheader at the Convocation Center.

All proceeds from the penny drive will be donated to the family of Amber Brown, the Norfolk State women’s basketball player who was found unconscious on New Year’s Eve and was later in a coma. The raised money will go toward Brown’s medical expenses.

“Hampton SAAC wanted to do something to help Amber,” Twarn Mixson, this year’s SAAC president, said. “We thought of sending a card to show our support, but with the penny drive, we are able to give Amber and her family something that will help them in a much greater way.

“Although we are rivals on the court or field, at the end of the day, we are a student-athlete family and we support each other when there’s a need.”

“A student-athlete from Norfolk State mentioned (on a teleconference) how they have been doing penny drives with donations going to (Amber’s) family,” SAAC advisor LaNea Winston said. “I thought this would be a great opportunity for both SAAC bodies to work together and show support for Amber and her family.”

Both Hampton and Norfolk State SAAC members will collect money during Saturday’s games.

In addition, red ribbons will be distributed for Diabetes Awareness. Brown suffers from Type 1 Diabetes.

Checks will also be accepted; make them payable to Norfolk State University AA, and place Amber Brown in the memo line.