The Flyer's women's basketball team is reaching out to the Haitians by donating to the Red Cross all of the money generated by ticket and T-shirt sales from their game against nationally ranked Xavier on Wednesday, Feb. 17.

"It's a terrible tragedy and we'd all like to help," said coach Jim Jabir who decided to turn this UD basketball game into a fundraiser entitled Hoops for Haiti.

Tickets were $2, but people were encouraged to contribute more if possible. The team also designed "UD Hoops for Haiti; United in Our Faith, Global in Our Mission" T-shirts which were sold at the game for $10.

While the back and forth action of Wednesday's game was exciting, what was most impressive was the donation money. The Team raised more than $5,000 for the Red Cross in their Hoops for Haiti effort with the help of 2,503 supportive fans at the UD Arena.

Jabir knew some good would come out of the game, win or lose.

"Obviously, we would like nothing more than to make a great deal to help more people," he said. "While I don't know anyone in Haiti, service is such a huge part of the University of Dayton community."

One of the team's former players, Karah Cloxton, is in medical school and will be going to Haiti for a week to lend her expertise with Score International as a medical missionary. Jabir believes she is a hero for her efforts to help.

Cloxton will utilize her medical training to help earthquake victims in Haiti for a week over spring break.

"Everyone wants to do something," Cloxton said. "But they don't necessarily know how."

Cloxton believes that knowing someone who is traveling to Haiti often provides some encouragement to participate and help people by giving to the Haitian victims.

Cloxton was moved by the troubles in Haiti during a Sunday service at church. She knew she had to do some fundraising to pay for her mission trip, but she also knew that with the help of coach Jabir and men's basketball coach Brian Gregory, she collected plenty to support her trip.

They even received one gift of $300 from a fan, Jabir said.

The student body's support for UD against the No. 6 ranked team in the nation, Xavier, raised a substantial amount of money for the team.

To continue donating money to the Haiti relief fund, go to http://www.udayton.edu/ministry/csc/Haiti.php.