ST. LOUIS, Mo. (ABP) — Missouri Baptist University opened a new sports and recreation complex Oct. 30 with a first-ever charity Albert Pujols All-Star Basketball Game.
The first Albert Pujols All-Star Basketball Game, pitting Pujols' team of teens and young adults with Down syndrome, as well as celebrities, against Missouri Baptist University's varsity basketball team, helped open the university's new sports and recreation complex on Oct. 30. Participants included (front, left to right) Josh Ramsey, Kalvin Lewis, Iesha McDaniels, Andrea Seabaugh, Amadou Cisse and Garrison Plummer. Middle row, Mike Matheny, Ryan Coyne, Meadowlark Lemon, Aeneas Williams, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Pujols and Jordan Flora. Back, Jahadi White, Anthony Bonner and Jon Morrow. (Missouri Baptist University photo)
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MBU's varsity basketball squad competed against Pujols' All-Star Team, which consists of teenagers and young adults with Down syndrome and celebrity athletes.
"I cannot think of a more appropriate event to host as part of the celebration surrounding the university's new Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex," MBU President R. Alton Lacey said. "The opportunity for MBU to continue to help Albert and Diedre with their work is a privilege."
Pujols and Matt Holiday left the Cardinals' World Series victory parade and celebration at Busch Stadium just in time to appear at the MBU event. They were joined by several celebrity athletes, including former St. Louis Ram Aeneas Williams, former National Basketball Association star Jahidi White, former St. Louis Cardinal Kerry Robinson, newly named Cardinal manager Mike Matheny, runner Jackie-Joyner Kersee, Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon and boxer Ryan Coyne.
The game launched a week of events surrounding the opening of MBU's new complex. The complex was dedicated on Nov. 3. The $11 million facility features a state-of-the-art fitness center, a suspended track and exercise room, a 1,000-seat gymnasium, locker rooms and a concession area in Spartan Hall. The facility also houses the health and sport sciences division.
Since 2005, the Pujols Family Foundation has helped individuals living with Down syndrome here and has helped improve the lives of the impoverished in the Dominican Republic.
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