MOORHEAD, Minn. - To thank the local community for it's support of MSUM and local businesses, the Dragon Athletics Department is offering free admission to the November 30 basketball games against Northern State to anyone wearing Dragons gear and have coined the term 'Thanksketball' to promote it. These games also mark the beginning of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play for the Dragons.

"We sincerely want to thank our community for supporting us and each other," said Athletics Director Doug Peters. "We love our area and take great pride in being a key part of it, but that also means we have a responsibility to help it grow and this is just one way we can help."

November 30 is also Small Business Saturday and the Dragons are encouraging local businesses to visit MSUMDragons.com/SmallBiz to RSVP for a free booth space at the game to promote themselves to fellow businesses and the community. Set-up opens at 2:30 P.M., officially begins at 3 P.M., and runs throughout both women's game at 4 P.M. and men's game at 6 P.M. Space is limited and registration closes on Friday, November 29.

Small Business Saturday is a global campaign founded by American Express to encourage support of small businesses around the world. MSUM Dragon Athletics plans to do just that by holding a Shop Small event at the Thanksketball games against Northern State on Saturday, November 30 at 4 P.M. and 6 P.M.

"We're always proud to help our members work together and build lasting relationships with one another," said FMWF Chamber of Commerce Business Development Manager Darren Dunlop.

The event is officially posted through American Express on their Shop Small Neighborhoods at Mightybell to help provide additional information to small businesses from their database. The event site can be found by clicking HERE. There are even more resources available at through American Express by clicking HERE.

"It's vital for small businesses to have and take advantage of free opportunities like this for self-promotion," said Moorhead Business Association Executive Director Chuck Chadwick. "We encourage people to support our locally owned businesses and for those businesses to support each other. This event is a good opportunity for both."

For more information on the event or questions, please contact Asst. AD for Marketing & Production Jon Wepking at jon.wepking@mnstate.edu.