LSU OPERATION REBOUND FACT SHEET
HOW DID “OPERATION REBOUND” COME ABOUT?
Operation Rebound is the brainchild of LSU Head Women’s Basketball Coach Pokey Chatman. A native of the New Orleans area, Chatman saw and felt first hand the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. She spent the past basketball season researching ideas for utilizing her Lady Tiger basketball program to assist in the New Orleans recovery effort.
WHAT ALL DOES “OPERATION REBOUND” ENTAIL?
Obviously, the centerpiece of “Operation Rebound” will be an annual basketball game played against a national opponent in the New Orleans Arena. The Katrina Relief Basketball Classic will represent the crowning moment of many other events involved each year to help in the fundraising arm of “Operation Rebound.”
WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM GOALS OF “OPERATION REBOUND?”
First and foremost to serve as a fundraising tool to give directly back to the Louisiana areas effected by Hurricane Katrina. Secondly, and equally important is to continue to raise awareness on the state and national level for what will be a long-term rebuilding process for the New Orleans area. Third, to allow the LSU women’s basketball program to give back to the state of Louisiana in a very unique way.
WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF “OPERATION REBOUND?”
While it is hard to predict the length of time necessary to rebuild the gulf region, we are committed to at least 5 years with “Operation Rebound” and the Katrina Relief Basketball Classic.
WHAT AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED IN THE KATRINA RELIEF BASKETBALL CLASSIC?
In conjunction with Coach Chatman’s women’s basketball program, other key partners include the LSU Athletic Department, the Tiger Athletic Foundation, LSU Sports Properties and the Fast Break Club (Lady Tiger Basketball booster organization).
HOW WILL FUNDS BE RAISED FROM THE KATRINA RELIEF BASKETBALL CLASSIC?
Through the efforts of LSU Sports Properties, corporate sponsors will be acquired to cover the cost of the facility and game operations, meaning that 100% of all ticket revenues will go to charity.
WHAT OTHER EVENTS UNDER “OPERATION REBOUND” WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE RAISING OF MONEY FOR CHARITY?
A banquet and auction will also be held in conjunction with the Katrina Relief Basketball Classic. The Pokey Chatman Foundation has also created The Pokey Chatman Century Club which will be an organization of 100 people all contributing $1,000 to join. All $100,000 of the membership fees will be given back to charities.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE INVOLVED IN “OPERATION REBOUND?”
There will be some smaller but equally important projects. We will move our annual Coaching Clinic to New Orleans this fall. We will have a single day youth camp in the area. We will also have some autograph signings, etc. These are not designed to raise funds but to give coaches, kids, and fans access to our program as we promote the game. We also want to have our student-athletes involved in some volunteer work.
WHAT IS THE FINANCIAL GOAL OF “OPERATION REBOUND?”
For the first year, through ticket sells, the banquet, an auction, and the Pokey Chatman Century Club (Sponsored by the Pokey Chatman Foundation), our goal is to raise a minimum of $150,000.
WHAT CHARITIES HAVE BEEN EARMARKED BY “OPERATION REBOUND” THIS YEAR?
We want to make sure that we can have a strong and immediate impact on our charities. We will focus the majority of our fundraising the first year to Habitat For Humanity and Friends of NORD (New Orleans Recreation Department). These two charities touch at the essence of where we need to start rebuilding ? families and children. Both of these charities have a long distinguished background of effecting positive change and we are proud to put our support behind them in the first year of LSU Operation Rebound.
WHAT WILL BE YOUR METHODS OF MARKETING & PROMOTING?
Will be grassroots with our program by giving the fans in the New Orleans area a quality basketball game and great access to our program ? the same as we do here. We want to create a “Pack the PMAC” type atmosphere except on a grander platform. We also have some strategies in terms of using celebrities and businesses and these plans will be released at a later date. Also in the near future, we will launch a website solely for promoting everything involved with “Operation Rebound.”
HAS THERE BEEN ANY PRECEDENT SET FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING?
Certainly Dale Brown and the men’s basketball program at LSU had great success during his tenure playing high-profile games for great causes in the New Orleans area. Recently our baseball program has done tremendous work by playing in New Orleans against quality opponents in the Wally Pontiff Classic.
WILL LOUSIANA TECH BE THE PERMANENT OPPONENT FOR THE KATRINA RELIEF BASKETBALL CLASSIC?
No, we will be bringing in a new opponent each year to keep the game fresh and exciting for the area fans.
WHY LOUISIANA TECH FOR THE FIRST GAME?
We thought it would be a natural because they are an instate university, have a good fan following and we thought it would be a game that would generate some fan interest.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH THE GAME?
We are looking to bring in a celebrity to be the Grand Marshall. We also want a Pack the PMAC atmosphere in which there will be a lot of prizes given away during the course of the game and LSU Sports Properties is working hard to make that happen.
IS THERE ANY TELEVISION INVOLVED?
ESPN has been contacted and is looking into the possibility. If they are unable, especially in the midst of bowl season, Cox has expressed a strong interest.
HOW CAN FANS GET INVOLVED WITH “OPERATION REBOUND”?
For those fans that want to help, e-mail the LSU Women’s Basketball Office or call (225) 578-6643