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East Texas rivals bare their feet for local kids

February 7, 2017

Garrett Sanders, East Texas Matters

On Thursday night, at Ornelas Gym in Marshall, the ETBU Tigers faced off against UT Tyler, both coaching staffs were, noticeably, missing their shoes.
 
"I'm a stomper, I don't know how I'm gonna stomp tonight, gotta figure it, out.  Maybe I'll have my shoe in my hand and stomp so they can hear me," said UT Tyler head coach Jamon Copeland.
 
"We're excited we're able to do this and excited they're  gonna join us and do it with us," said ETBU head coach Brandon Curran.
 
In the past week, the coaching staffs for ETBU, UT Tyler, and LeTourneau went barefoot, to raise money to help local kids have shoes.
 
An idea, which was started by ETBU student, and track athlete, Ramiro Mendez.
 
"I run all the time, my feet hurt.  I can't imagine what it's like for kids in other countries or even here in Marshall that can't afford new shoes," said Mendez.
 
So he teamed up with Samaritan's Feet, an organization which provides shoes for children, and the rival schools were asked to join in.
 
"The number five need for school children is shoes, and tonight, hopefully, we're gonna raise awareness by coaching barefoot, so children throughout the world can have shoes," said Copeland.
 
"I think it's for a great cause, the opportunity to share the Gospel with needy kids in Marshall as well as provide shoes for them, so we're happy to do it, happy to support them and excited about it," said Curran.
 
"It's really huge and it really shows, I think, a great unity in our community of East Texas," said Mendez.
 
So as usual, the jersey colors were different, and the action on the court was as competitive as ever.
 
But from the cheerleaders to the sidelines, both sides were in barefoot solidarity, representing something bigger than basketball.
 
"We want to win, but we also want our players to grow in their faith and opportunities to serve, and working for Samaritan's Feet is another great opportunity for them to do that."