[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/MESS basketball.jpg” caption=”Terry Galan, long-term M.E.S.S.! Committee member, throws the ceremonial tip-off at the men’s game. Photo courtesy of Lorraine Redford.”]More than 670 employees attended the annual Employee Appreciation Day Basketball event, sponsored by the McMaster Employee Spirit Society (M.E.S.S.!) on Saturday, Jan. 20. The audience witnessed victory as both the women's and men's team gained possession of the BroMac cup. The BroMac cup is presented to the winner of the season series between McMaster and Brock University, our rivals.

The turnout for the event far exceeded any previous M.E.S.S.! Basketball event, and McMaster employees and their families enjoyed an afternoon of great basketball. In addition to complimentary tickets to the game, employees were treated to refreshments, door prizes, face-painting and tours of the new David Braley Athletic Centre. There was excitement in the air as fans gathered to kick off the M.E.S.S.! event with the women's basketball game at 12 noon.

Participating in the ceremonial tip-off for the women's game was Sharon Baptist of the School of Nursing. Baptist is a recent recipient of the President's Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Service for her participation on the Inspiring from Within Conference Committee, and is also an active member of the Working at McMaster Steering Committee.

At both games, the National Anthem was sung by Sam Walkes, daughter of Jennifer Walkes from the Faculty of Health Sciences. Terry Galan, from Purchasing, performed the tip-off in the men's game which immediately followed at 2 p.m. Terry was one of the original members of the McMaster Employee Spirit Society when it began in 2002.

“The committee was ecstatic about the number of employees that registered and brought their families to the event this year,” says Pat Harris, current chair of M.E.S.S.! “This is obviously an event that is eagerly anticipated and very popular.”

Detailed coverage of both the women's and men's games are available on the Athletics and Recreation website.

There is one more M.E.S.S.! event that is not to be missed before the committee takes a break for the season. On Feb. 25, a select number of McMaster employees and their families will enjoy an afternoon of theatre at a production of Hair, performed by the McMaster Musical Theatre group.

Tickets for this event will be available online on Thursday, Jan. 25 by accessing the M.E.S.S.! website. Registration for this event is limited to 240 tickets.

The committee would like to see as many employees register who have not had the chance to attend a previous production. Therefore, confirmation of tickets will be sent after registration closes. Please register early.