Ashland University's athletic department will play host to its first events at Kates Gymnasium in almost three weeks, and they all have a good amount of significance.
- On Wednesday (Dec. 9), the Eagle women's (5:30 p.m.) and men's (7:30 p.m.) basketball teams will take on Hillsdale in their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference home openers. AU's women are ranked No. 13 in Division II, and are 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC. The AU men are expected to be ranked nationally this week for the first time since Jan. 10, 2006, and are 7-0, 2-0.
Ashland is one of only two Division II athletic programs with two undefeated basketball teams going into the week, along with Union. Should the Eagle men be in the Top 25 when the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) poll comes out on Tuesday (Dec. 8), it will be the first time in school history both hoops teams will be nationally ranked at the same time.
Hillsdale's women are 4-2, 1-1, while the Charger men are 5-0, 2-0. Ashland and Hillsdale are the only undefeated men's teams in the GLIAC, and Ashland is the only undefeated women's team in the conference.
Both games are Youth Basketball Night/Christmas at Kates/Canned Food Drive at "The Kates." Those in attendance who make a canned food donation will be entered for a chance to win an Eva's Treats gift card.
Reserved-seat tickets have been reduced from $12 to $10 for the 2015-16 season. Adult general-admission tickets are $8 each, while students and seniors (with proper identification) get in for $3. Children age 5 and younger are free.
- On Thursday (Dec. 10) at 7 p.m., the Eagle wrestling team will debut at home for the 2015-16 season against Pitt-Johnstown. Ashland is ranked No. 19 in the country, while UPJ is ranked No. 7 in Division II.
AU's wrestling team features senior 197-pounder Joe Brandt, ranked No. 1 in Division II in his weight class. He is 7-2 with 17 takedowns and a pin so far in 2015-16.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students and seniors (with proper identification). Children age 5 and younger are free.
- The home week concludes on Saturday (Dec. 12), as the AU basketball teams will play at 1 (women) and 3 (men) p.m. against Saginaw Valley State. The Cardinal women are 4-3, 1-1, while the SVSU men are 4-2, 2-0.
In the parking lot directly behind Kates Gymnasium, there are multiple handicapped parking spots. That lot is reserved for handicapped fans, game officials and Eagle head coaches.
The AU bookstore will have a "Spirit Table" in the gym lobby with merchandise available for purchase for the basketball games against the Chargers and other select home games.
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