Men's Basketball Enjoys 'Family Day' On Saturday

NEW ORLEANS – In an event that is quickly becoming as unique and as interesting as the Crescent City itself, the University of New Orleans men's basketball team enjoyed "Family Day" on Saturday afternoon in Lakefront Arena and around the Big Easy.

The event was the second in as many years and gives the families of the 17 Privateers basketball student-athletes a chance to see what takes place during a typical practice before culminating with a group dinner which featured speeches from head coach Mark Slessinger as well as the four-member senior class of guards Tevin Broyles (Interdisciplinary Studies), Nate Frye (Human Performance & Health Promotion), Christavious Gill (Interdisciplinary Studies) and Erik Thomas (Interdisciplinary Studies).

"We were so blessed to have many of our student-athletes' family attend today," Slessinger said. "Each of our four seniors spoke from the heart about what it has meant to be a part of our program, University and city. It is amazing to see their growth and development on and off the floor. The support our student-athletes receive from home is tremendous and it showed today.

"I couldn't be more pleased with our team's development at this point. We still have many things to clean up, but our effort and attitude have been at a high level."

The day began with a 90-minute open practice before the court was open to family and friends for makeshift games and contests. Following a team lunch, the student-athletes and their families were released to spend time together both on and off campus in an attempt to allow the nuclear units to learn more about their children and siblings home-away-from-home during their respective times on the Lakefront.

In addition to the inspired talks by Slessinger and his senior class, the evening group dinner also allowed each student-athlete to stand before the group and introduce who was with them for Family Day. The dinner also featured guest speaker Kirsten Elleby. Elleby joined the UNO Athletics staff back in April as the newest Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Enrichment and was elevated to Senior Woman Administrator in July.

The Privateers – who open the 2016-17 season on Friday, Nov. 11, against LaGrange College in Lakefront Arena – return 10-of-13 lettermen from a year ago. Last season, New Orleans posted a 10-20 overall record, a 6-12 mark in Southland Conference action and advanced to the SLC Tournament for a second-consecutive season.

For ticket information for the upcoming campaign, contact the UNO Athletics Ticket Office at (504) 280-GAME (4263) and season tickets can be purchased over the Internet by clicking HERE.