JagBytes

Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Marcos Dominguez Barefoot Coach Ron Hunter helping to get shoes for charity.

Fans stood shoeless, chanting his name, as he removed his shoes at Thursday night's game.

IUPUI Head Basketball Coach Ron Hunter kept his word as he coached his team against the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies in bare feet. Hunter's goal was to raise awareness for needy children by working with Samaritan's Feet, a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting 10 million pairs of shoes on children's feet worldwide within the next 10 years.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, Hunter vowed to reach 40,000 pairs of shoes. This year marked the 40th anniversary of King's death.

Hunter quickly surpassed his goal. People have donated more than 110,000 pairs of shoes and $20,000.

In addition to the shoes that were donated at the game, a charity called Soles4Souls matched Hunters goal by donating another 40,000 pairs. Wal-Mart donated 25,000 pairs, Nine West gave 5,200 pairs and Converse has promised to donate 15,000 pairs.

Attracting national media attention, Coach Hunter invited students to take part and show their support standing behind him in a live TV shoot prior to the game.

"I was not surprised at the turnout, we have great students who care," Hunter said. "I appreciate the students at IUPUI for what they have done, not for me, but for the children in this world."

Out of the 1,059 fans attending the game, many of the students went barefoot.

Found under the bleachers was sophomore cheerleader Amanda Wallace frantically painting her toenails.

"If my feet are going to be showing they have to be pretty!" Wallace said.

The cheerleaders were allowed to have their shoes off until the start of the game.

Senior Parker Sutton brought together some of his fraternity brothers for a trip to Goodwill to buy shoes. The TKE brothers donated 10 pairs.

"We like helping people, so we bought as many pairs that we could afford," Sutton said.

The Jaguars won the game over the Golden Grizzlies with a score of 82-69.

For more information on Samaritan's Feet contact: info@samaritansfeet.org.

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