Boulder – Former Colorado standout Chauncey Billups has committed to give $100,000 over the next four years to help kids attend CU men’s basketball games, athletic director Mike Bohn announced today.
The program is called Chauncey’s Kids Roundup, a spin-off of the CU athletic department’s Ralphie’s Kids Roundup in which a group of boosters bought tickets that were used to bring kids to football games.
“This is the cornerstone of support for men’s basketball that is much needed,” Bohn said. “It will create a huge shot in the arm for us.”
Billups’ money will go toward providing 10,000 tickets per season. In addition, a 25’x 67″ mural of Billups is expected to be unveiled on the southeast corner wall in the Coors Events Center as early as CU’s Feb. 11 home game against Texas Tech.
“I’m very, very excited for this opportunity to resurface back in the community in Boulder,” Billups said. “To give the kids from my neighborhood and other neighborhoods the opportunity to come out and see some great college athletics, it’s unbelievable.”
Billups played during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons at CU, leading the Buffs to an NCAA Tournament bid during his sophomore season.
Billups, also a star at George Washington High School, was selected by the Boston Celtics with the third pick of the 1997 NBA draft, and now plays for the Detroit Pistons, where he won an NBA title in 2004 and was named NBA Finals MVP.
