DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake Athletics has announced a unique experience for Bulldog fans to partake in the celebration of their hometown team with Hoopy Hour from the Knapp Center on Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8. The event will be in conjunction with Drake basketball's Des Moines Hometown Team Weekend and allow fans to experience the revamped MidAmerican Energy Foundation Atrium and Morrison Hall of Honor while getting to enjoy live music alongside current Drake head coaches, and Drake Athletics staff.
 
On Friday, Feb. 7, Hoopy Hour will take place from 3:45-5:00 p.m. in the MidAmerican Energy Foundation Atrium of the Knapp Center ahead of the women's basketball contest against Illinois State that begins at 6:00 p.m. Among the Drake head coaches in attendance at Hoopy Hour on Friday will be new Drake football head coach, Joe Woodley, and Drake men's basketball head coach, Ben McCollum. Director of Athletics, Brian Hardin, and Drake Relays Director, Blake Boldon will also be in attendance among other Drake Athletics staff members.
 
Saturday's Hoopy Hour event will also occur in the MidAmerican Energy Foundation Atrium and will be held from 2:45-4:00 p.m. ahead of the men's basketball game against Indiana State, which begins at 5:00 p.m. Woodley will be in attendance again on Saturday among other Drake head coaches including Suzie Glazer Burt head women's basketball coach, Allison Pohlman. Hardin and Boldon, along with others from Drake Athletics, will be in attendance on Saturday as well.
 
Happy hour drinks will be served, and live music performances will take place for both events. Providing the live music on Friday will be the Dogtown Rhythm Band and Saturday will feature local artist, Damon Dotson.
 
Dogtown Rhythm Band is a blues ensemble recently formed by Drake professors David Lubbers and Tom Buckmiller. Lubbers, a 1986 Drake Graduate and former men's basketball player, currently serves as an assistant professor at Drake's School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Buckmiller, is the Director of the LEAD program at Drake and is in his 15th year as a faculty member.
 
Dotson is a singer/songwriter based out of Des Moines, Iowa. Originally from Okoboji, Iowa, Dotson has opened for legendary performers like BB King, Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys, Huey Lewis and The News, as well as modern artists like Matt Nathanson, The Band Perry, Edwin McCain, and The Lone Bellow. He has also been named Des Moines' "Best Local Musician" by City View magazine.
 
Game tickets are required to attend the Hoopy Hour events on both days. For those who do not currently have game tickets for Friday and wish to attend Hoopy Hour, tickets can be purchased for $20. Those who already have game tickets for Friday can purchase tickets to the Hoopy Hour event for $10. For Drake faculty & staff on Friday, the event ticket is $10 and includes a ticket to the game.
 
For Saturday, those who do not currently have game tickets purchased and wish to attend Hoopy Hour, can be purchase tickets for $25. Those who already have game tickets for Saturday can purchase tickets to the Hoopy Hour event for $15. For Drake faculty & staff on Saturday, the event ticket is $15 and includes a ticket to the game.
 
Event tickets can be purchased HERE using the promo code DSMUSA1 for those currently without tickets to the games. For individuals who already have game tickets purchased, event tickets can be purchased HERE using the promo code DSMUSA2.