Auburn men’s basketball will play host to the FAU Owls in a charity exhibition game on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at Neville Arena, with all proceeds from ticket sales benefiting the Auburn University Melton Scholars Program.
“I would like to thank the NCAA for their wisdom and willingness to support this game,” head coach Bruce Pearl said. “We are going to make a tremendous impact. The visibility and exposure that this game is going to receive; it’s not only going to allow people to buy tickets but also make contributions, or even have a discussion around the kitchen table asking, ‘What do you think about us sponsoring a Melton Scholar? I wonder what that would look like. We’re going to give them that opportunity on Nov. 1.
The Owls reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago as an eight-seed, falling to Northwestern in the first round 77-65. FAU was one of two Cinderella teams to make a run to the NCAA Final Four in 2023 as a nine-seed defeating Memphis, FDU, Tennessee and Kansas State on the way to Houston.
The exhibition matchup will be the first for new Owls head coach John Jakus, a former assistant under Baylor’s Scott Drew and Gonzaga’s Mark Few, after Dusty May left for the head coaching job at Michigan following six seasons in Boca Raton, FL.
“I’ve always believed you can’t ask somebody to do something that you’re not willing to do yourself. I’ve always invested in the scholarship program and our family is very proud to be a Melton Scholar donor. Do what God would have us do every single day and try the best of our abilities to live by that.”
Previously the Together We Will Scholarship Program – the Melton Scholars Program was launched in 2023 to help increase access for underrepresented students and support them throughout their Auburn experience.
“Growing up in Leeds, Alabama, I experienced firsthand the challenges of limited access to opportunities,” said Charles Barkley in a released statement from the university. “I was fortunate enough to receive a basketball scholarship to Auburn, which profoundly changed my life. I owe so much to the coaches who believed in me during that pivotal time.
“This situation resonates deeply with underrepresented students, especially African American students, who aspire to attend college. Many of them will be the first in their families to graduate and break the cycle of limited opportunities. This underscores the significance of the Melton Scholars Program.
“I am grateful to Bruce and the administration for their support in funding this initiative through the proceeds from the exhibition game. We cannot break the cycle without believing in these students and recognizing their potential contributions to society beyond Auburn University. I remain committed to fostering diversity at Auburn and ensuring that underrepresented students feel valued and welcomed.”
The Auburn-FAU charity exhibition game was approved through an NCAA waiver.
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Patrick is a junior from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2022.
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