By ABDOULLAYE DOUCOURE, NEWS3 Guest Reporter
MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) — Students attending Western Illinois University University home basketball games have a chance to win $10,000.
WIU Athletics partnered with Progressive Insurance to host a free-throw contest during home men’s and women’s basketball games. Students attending games at Western Hall can win $10,000 if they can make a lay up, a free throw, a three pointer and a half court shot in 30 seconds.
The contest was created to help boost the attendance at home basketball games. WIU junior Tyler Nichols attempted to win the cash prize but failed to make the half-court shot before time ran out.
“I heard about it from a friend and a lot of people were talking about it,” Nichols said. “I was just like well $10,000 to make a couple of shots didn’t sound too hard. It was fun, it was a great experience, I really thought I had a chance, but oh well.”
The challenge is only available for WIU students who attend home basketball games. To participate, students must register at the fence next to the student section. One student’s name will be drawn at half time to participate in the contest.
Nichols said he plans to attend another home game so he can enter the contest again.
“Oh absolutely,” he said. “Half of the battle is getting drawn. I will definitely put my name in again. Half of the battle is getting drawn like I say. If you get drawn, you got a chance.”
Attendance has improved recently, with more students for basketball games than in a long time.
For more information on the progressive shot contest, go to WIU’s Athletics on Instagram.
