PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – The 2016-17 basketball season is set to begin this week for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women’s basketball team and its head coach Fred Batchelor.  This season is filled with high expectations on the court, but off the court, the team has created a community service initiative with equally high expectations. 

The HOOPS and HEELS program is designed to help local women’s charities and causes by recognizing local women who are committed to the community.  The program will also have several events over the course of the season to raise funds, of which portions will be donated to select local women’s charities. 

HEELS is an acronym for Hawks Elevating Each Ladies Spirit.

The program, first introduced at Hawk Hysteria earlier in October, was unveiled with three of the highest ranking executives at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  President Juliette B. Bell, Ph.D., Kimberly Dumpson, Esq. Executive Vice President, and Kimberly Whitehead, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs were introduced at center court accompanied by Associate Women’s Basketball Head Coach Revonda Whitely, to announce the drive.

Now, the women’s basketball program will hold its kick-off event on Nov. 3, 2016 at 5 p.m. before the team takes on Salisbury University in an exhibition contest that same night at 6 p.m.  Prior to the game, the Hawks will host women from around the community to meet the team, hear from head coach Fred Batchelor, enjoy light fare, get a Hoops & Heels t-shirt and have the chance to bid on silent auctions and raffles, designed to kick-start the fund for Hoops and Heels charities. Afterwards, attendees are welcomed to stay for the game as admission is included in the cost of the ticket.