Well, it is finally here. Friday night at 7 p.m., "The Bigger Event" will come to Mineola High School. For those of you who missed last year's "Big Event," the Mineola Community has been challenged to a series of basketball games by former (and possibly current) NFL and NBA players. Last year we saw all who attended treated to an evening of fun, and also spirited competition, as the Mineola School Community came together to meet the challenge of the professional athletes.

This year, the Mineola Athletic Booster Club has been hard at work to make "The Bigger Event" even better than last year. Refreshments, photographs and autographs of the players, raffles and even a "Shoot for the Car" contest will be available. That's right, there will be a raffle to choose who will be the lucky fan to have an opportunity to shoot from half court for a two year lease on a 1999 GMC Jimmy, courtesy of Van Buren GMC. Last year, the half time show was provided by former Harlem Globetrotter Derek Murphy, and let's not forget the amazing Pooky Wiggington from Seton Hall fame. Al Dixon, former NY Giant and San Francisco 49er tight end will be back this year as well as a host of other professional players. This is a wonderful evening out for the whole family.

The teams who were brave enough (or dumb enough) this year to meet the challenge are as follows:

"The Miracle Workers" of Nassau Sports Physical Therapy

"The Fantastic Flame Fighters" of the Mineola Fire Department

"The Mustang Midgets" of the Mineola Middle School

"The Village People" Mineola and Williston Park Employees (coached by Mayors Connoly and Colbert)

"The Hampton Street PTA Her-i-canes"

"The Raging Educators" (formerly "The Wanna Bees")

An interesting turn of events this past week was the announcement by the Mineola School District team of coaches and teachers, that they were changing their name from "The Wanna Bees" to "The Raging Educators." Obviously an attempt by the teachers to intimidate their opponents. When player representative Al Dixon of the celebrity team was contacted about this obvious psychological ploy, he stated "we're not afraid! We said we would come back and beat those "Wanna Bees." I'm not surprised with the name change, after all, who would be afraid of a bunch of "Wanna Bees." The game between the "Raging Educators" and the celebrity guests will be the main event of the evening.

So, if you need tickets, call Paul Cusato at 248-0849. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children ($1 more at the door. Tickets can also be purchased from each district school PTA. All proceeds go to the Mineola Athletic Booster Club Scholarship Fund. For further information, call Mr. Tony Gulli, Mineola District Athletic Director at 739-4168. Support Mineola Athletics, come to "The Bigger Event" on Friday (Feb. 26). The doors will open at 6 p.m. Bring the whole family, you'll be glad you did.