Dec. 18, 2006

The USC men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted the sixth annual Boys and Girls Club Christmas party on Sunday afternoon in cooperation with the Columbia Tipoff Club.

The two-hour party included a visit from Santa Claus. Santa helped the players share gifts bought individually for each child. After the kids opened their gifts, Santa surprised the men’s team with its NIT Championship rings.

The teams played basketball with the kids, presented gifts and ate dinner wtih them.

“This is a great day. It’s so much fun for everyone,” said USC forward Bryce Sheldon. “We appreciate the gifts that the Tipoff Club bought for the kids. It’s special because it brings us back to our childhood.”