INDIANAPOLIS – Former Indiana Pacers star Rik Smits and a local radio personality Jimmy “Mad Dog” Matis will be on hand for the annual Docs vs. Jocks vs. Drugs charity basketball game at Roncalli High School, Friday, April 16.This marks the 24TH year St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers has sponsored the event, which raises funds and educates youth about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Roncalli’s substance abuse awareness and tobacco-cessation programs.
The action gets under way at 7 p.m. at the high school gymnasium, pitting St. Francis physicians against Roncalli High School faculty and staff. Pacers mascot Boomer also will be on hand prior to tipoff and throughout the game.
This meeting is pivotal: St. Francis and Roncalli have met on two other occasions with each squad having a win.
The 7-foot-4-inch center averaged nearly 15 points and more than six rebounds a game during his NBA career. Matis is known locally for his 23-year career at WFBQ-FM 94.7 on the Bob and Tom Show, and his sports news updates on sister station WNDE-AM 1260.
Both will be available for autographs and entertainment includes Pacers mascot “Boomer” and music from Roncalli’s pep band and show choir.
Tickets are $5 per person and are available at Roncalli and at the gym door the night of the event. Children 6years old and younger will be admitted free.
Roncalli High School is located at 3300 Prague Road.
The annual game has visited high school courts all over south-central Indiana, raising students’ awareness of the dangers of drug use and abuse. The program has raised more than $110,000 since its inception.
Donald J. Kerner, M.D., former chief medical officer at St. Francis, is the driving force behind Docs vs. Jocks vs. Drugs. He was awarded the 2004 Hulman Award for founding the annual event.
