RIPON, Wis. – J.J. Jumper, the official basketball mascot of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, is to appear at Ripon College’s Storzer Center on February 9 at 1:00 p.m. during the Red Hawk’s men‘s and women’s basketball games. J.J. Jumper will perform throughout both games as part of the NCAA’s commitment to promote youth basketball participation and sportsmanship.

J.J. Jumper’s purpose is to increase enthusiasm and awareness of NCAA Basketball, while engaging and educating youth on healthy physical, emotional and educational values. J.J.’s mission is to represent both genders and all races. J.J. appears at men’s and women’s basketball games, giving away NCAA Basketball promotional items and performing skits during timeouts and/or halftime.

“We are pleased to support the NCAA Basketball’s official mascot and program, J.J. Jumper, because of the program’s encouragement and support with youth participation,” said Ripon College athletics director Bob Gillespie. “As a member of the NCAA, Ripon College sees the true value this program brings to the membership. The program illustrates the importance of sportsmanship, youth participation and other positive values, which are vital facets in intercollegiate athletics.”

The 2007-08 season is the program’s eighth full season. During the past three seasons, J.J. Jumper has made more than 275 visits at member institutions, appearing at almost 600 men’s and women’s basketball games. J.J. performs at men’s and women’s basketball regular season games in all three divisions, conference tournaments and all NCAA basketball championships.

Tickets for the game on February 9 can be purchased at the door on the day of the game. For more information, contact Ripon College sports information director Michael Westemeier at (920) 748-8770.

J.J. Jumper was created in 1999, in part to help member institutions reach their younger fans, J.J. Jumper was developed through a study done by NCAA Basketball, and the concept has received a positive response from both youth and adults.

To learn more about J.J. Jumper, please visit NCAA Kids at www.NCAAsports.com.

Click here to visit J.J. Jumper's website