Reid Orthopedics Sports Medicine Center has made a major investment in Indiana University East Athletics with the donation of new basketball goals for the 2008-09 season to IU East and Richmond High School. 

The new basketball goals will allow the university to meet National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) requirements for intercollegiate games. The goals were installed last week in the Richmond High School Tiernan Center where the Red Wolves play their home games.

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 The new state-of-the-art basketball goals will include a game clock with a tenth-of-a-second display and a shot clock.  In addition, a red light will illuminate behind the backboard and around its entire edge when the game clock expires at halftime and at the end of the game.

Mark Hester, IU East athletic director and head men’s basketball coach, said the collaboration is building a strong alliance for the community.

“The relationship between IU East, Reid Orthopedics and RHS is a true partnership, as we are finding common areas that benefit us all,” Hester said. “As our intercollegiate athletics grow, our games are going to be a major attraction not only for students but for community members as well. I really credit Reid Orthopedics Sports Medicine Center for its vision in seeing Red Wolves Athletics as a viable partner in its commitment to sports medicine in the Richmond community.”     

Dr. Gregory Woods, sports medicine specialist at Reid Orthopedics Sports Medicine Center, explained that Reid will be the sports medicine provider for all of IU East’s athletic programs.

“I am excited to be a part of the growth of the relationship between Reid Orthopedics Sports Medicine Center and IU East,” Woods said. “We will be providing sports medicine coverage for the Red Wolves with our athletic trainers and me for home events.  We also have a Monday morning walk-in injury clinic for their athletes.  I have been a team physician with Fort Hays State University for 19 years before coming here and am excited to be on the ground floor of the growth of athletic programs at IU East.”

Richmond High School athletic director Chad Bolser said that the portable goal system will be a nice addition to the Tiernan Center.

“There is no question that this upgrade will not only enhance the facility and IU East basketball but will also help make the Tiernan Center an even more functional facility for our student-athletes and our high school curriculum,” Bolser said. “More than just the physical upgrades to the facility, it is a further illustration of the effectiveness of our community partnerships with IU East and Reid. The Richmond High School athletic department is committed to cultivating and developing the type of significant partnerships we have with Reid Orthopedics Sports Medicine Center and Indiana University East Athletics.”

The Richmond Community Schools Board of School Trustees will formally approve the new goals later this month.  IU East will use the goals for the first time in competition on November 24 against Ohio Christian University.  The IU East men’s basketball team is off to a 6-1 start for the 2008-09 season, its second year of NAIA competition.