Intentional Foul – Lyon College Scots Will Draw Tech for Cause

BATESVILLE, Ark. – The first-ever Lyon College Scots Furry Frenzy Toy Toss is set for Thursday, Jan. 23, in James C. Becknell Gymnasium when the Scot basketball teams host American Midwest Conference opponent Mid-Continent University.

The event, which will benefit patients at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and White River Medical Center, along with The Call foster care program, is urging the participation of area elementary students, Lyon student organizations and Scot fans in the area when the ‘toss’ takes place at the beginning of the Lyon College men’s game against MCU.

W.R.D. Entertainment is a partner with Lyon College to host the event.

The Lyon College Scots women’s game will get underway at 5:30 p.m., with the men’s contest tipping off at approximately 7:30 p.m. All fans who attend the game will be admitted free when bringing a new stuffed toy to the event.

“Basically what will happen is at the beginning of the men’s game, when the Scots score their first point, everyone in the stands will ‘toss’ their stuffed toy on the playing floor,” said Lyon College Director of Sports Information John Krueger. “This will result in a technical foul on the Scots, but head coach Chad Tapp has gladly agreed to this and said he hopes there are a lot of toys on the floor to make it more noteworthy.”

“It’s going to be fun,” Tapp stated. “We want an enthusiastic crowd and for everybody to have a great time with the toss, along with the other games and giveaways planned.”

After the ‘toss’, area Cub Scouts and Boy Scout, along with 4-H members, the Lyon College Scots Cheer Squad and members of the Lyon volleyball team will collect the toys and bag them up so they can be distributed at a later date.

There will be two Lyon College Furry Frenzy Toy Toss Cups awarded for the most participation at the event. One cup will be awarded to the area elementary school that has the most participation.  Over 3,700 invitations were sent out to West Magnet; Central Magnet; Eagle Mountain Magnet; Sulphur Rock Magnet; Southside; Cave City; Midland; Newark; and Cord-Charlotte, challenging them to be the school that receives ‘The Cup’, which they will keep until next year’s event.

The other Cup will be presented to the Lyon College organization that brings the most stuffed toys. That organization will also be rewarded with points toward the annual Intramural Cup, which is presented each year to a men and women’s team.

In addition, there will be numerous t-shirt giveaways throughout both games and over $400 in gift certificates to The Scot Shop and Wal-Mart will be drawn throughout the evening and presented to fans. There will also be games played by fans during halftime of each contest, with prizes awarded.

An added attraction will be the performance of the West Magnet Dance Team at the half of both games.

“We hope fans throughout the area will make plans to attend the games that night and make the first Lyon College Furry Frenzy Toy Toss a great one,” Krueger added.

For more information on the Lyon College Furry Frenzy Toy Toss, visit and ‘like’ the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/FurryfrenzyToyToss or go to the Lyon College Athletics website at www.lyonscots.com.

Earlier this week the Lyon College Scots men’s and women’s basketball teams helped lend a hand on Tuesday as the Area 16 Special Olympics held its Adult Basketball Individual Skills Competition in Becknell Gymnasium.

There were 36 athletes on hand, ranging in age from 20 to 70, as they competed for awards and recognition at the local event. Special Olympians represented Independence County, along with Sharp and Izard Counties at the two-hour event.

According to organizer Diane Wentz, the athletes represented New Directions and White River Specialized Industries. All athletes received gold, silver or bronze medals for their efforts.

Lyon College women’s basketball player Cayley Wagoner (center) talks to some Special Olympians during a break on Tuesday in Becknell Gymnasium on Tuesday morning. Lyon hosted the Area 16 Special Olympics Adult Basketball Individual Skills Competition. (Photo by John Krueger)