Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University Athletic Department encourages area students to show their school spirit and Colonial pride by participating in the inaugural Battle for the Books. The program will provide over 10,000 local youth the opportunity to experience NCAA Division I basketball while assisting their schools.  

As part of the Battle for the Books, students in 19 area schools have been provided with "Admit 2" vouchers to every home regular season men's and women's basketball game for the 2011-2012 season. The number of vouchers redeemed by each school will be tracked throughout the season to determine a leaderboard. The school with the highest number of vouchers redeemed (as a percentage of school enrollment) will receive $1,000 for their school library. The school with the second highest percentage of vouchers redeemed will receive $500 for their library.  

The leaderboard of vouchers redeemed will be updated on a game-by-game basis via RMUColonials.com. To check the latest standings, fans should click on "Battle for the Books" under the "Marketing" tab at the top of the homepage. Additionally, weekly updates will be provided via the RMU Athletics Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Participating schools include:

Aliquippa Elementary (Aliquippa School District)
Bon Meade Elementary (Moon Area School District)
Burkett Elementary (Montour School District)
Cornell Elementary (Cornell School District)
Economy Elementary (Ambridge Area School District)
Edgeworth Elementary (Quaker Valley School District)
Forest Grove Elementary (Montour School District)
Highland Elementary (Ambridge Area School District)
Hopewell Elementary (Hopewell Area School District)
Hopewell Junior High - Grades 5 and 6 (Hopewell Area School District)
Hyde Elementary (Moon Area School District)
Independence Elementary (Hopewell Area School District)
Ingram Elementary (Montour School District)
J.A. Allard Elementary (Moon Area School District)
J.H. Brooks Elementary (Moon Area School District)
Margaret Ross Elementary (Hopewell Area School District)
McCormick Elementary (Moon Area School District)
Osborne Elementary (Quaker Valley School District)
State Street Elementary (Ambridge Area School District)

The 2011-2012 Battle for the Books is made possible through a grant provided by the Northeast Conference, of which Robert Morris is a charter member. Teachers and administrators interested in adding their school to the list of participants can contact the RMU Athletics Ticket Office at 412-397-4949.

RMU Men's Basketball will open the season on Monday, October 31 vs. Wheeling Jesuit at 7:00 pm, while RMU Women's Basketball will get underway on Saturday, November 12 vs. Coppin State at 7:00 pm. For tickets, click here or call 412-397-4949.