High Point University Surprises Local Family with Free Trip to NCAA Tournament
HIGH POINT, N.C. – In a heartwarming gesture of community appreciation, High Point University recently surprised a local family with an all-expenses-paid trip to watch the Panthers compete in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Portland, Oregon. The Ford family, consisting of Jimmy and Alexis Ford along with three of their children, were escorted onto the basketball court during a special watch party at the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center on March 15.
A Memorable Surprise for Dedicated Fans
The family learned just minutes before the start of CBS's Selection Show that HPU would be sending them to the tournament at no charge. "This was the biggest surprise of my life. It was something my family and I will never forget," said Alexis Ford. "Thank you to HPU for being a beacon of light for our family and making us feel so loved."
As part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the family of five will receive:
- Free airfare to Portland, Oregon
- Hotel accommodations
- All meals and ground transportation
- Game tickets to watch HPU face Wisconsin
The Panthers, seeded No. 12, will play Wisconsin at 1:50 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, with TBS broadcasting the game.
Community-Focused University Initiatives
Jimmy and Alexis Ford, both born and raised in High Point, have raised their children in the same community. As diehard Panthers fans, the family attended every HPU home men's basketball game this season through the university's free community ticket giveaway program.
"We are High Point's University, and making free tickets and even dinner available to members of the community is one of the many ways HPU works to enhance our community," said HPU President Nido Qubein. "We are blessed to be able to help families enjoy a wonderful night out for free."
During the regular season, approximately 15,000 community members attended HPU home basketball games at no charge using free tickets provided by the university. Fans also received complimentary food at three men's home games, making it possible for families to enjoy a complete evening of college basketball without financial burden.
Selection from Dedicated Superfans
The Ford family was selected from a pool of community superfans who attended HPU games this season through the free ticket program. "It means the world to us because High Point has been our home, but also this community is like a family," Alexis Ford explained. "We came here a couple of seasons ago. It became like our home away from home or our beacon of light."
The HPU men's and women's basketball teams both earned automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year after winning the Big South Conference championship in Johnson City, Tennessee, on March 8.
For the Ford family, the experience represents more than just basketball. "Showing up and cheering for them every home game brightened our weeks, gave our children positive role models to look up to and strengthened our faith," Alexis Ford shared. "The gift that has been given to us is priceless. I am so proud to be a forever Panther family."
