Springfield, Mo. — The Christmas ornaments will be put away and your New Year's resolutions will be a thing of the past. How about one more night of fun to kick start 2016 — and this one is FREE?  

Evangel University is inviting the community to enjoy a free doubleheader night of college basketball on Wednesday, January 6, 2016.

The Evangel Crusaders will take on the Avila University Eagles from Kansas City — the ladies teams will play at 5:30 p.m., and the men's teams will play at 7:30 p.m.

"This is our gift to the community," said Dr. Dennis McDonald, director of athletics for Evangel.

Bonus attraction

Singing the National Anthem before the men's game will be a trio featuring formerU.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, along with two Evangel graduates — local businessman Phil Wieneke (1974) and retired Evangel professor Dwight Colbaugh (1967).

Ashcroft is a long-time friend of Evangel.

His father, the late Dr. J. Robert Ashcroft, was instrumental in the founding of Evangel and served as second president, from 1958 to 1974. While John did not enroll at Evangel like his two brothers, he did take piano lessons on campus from the legendary Dr. June Keen.  

Free parking

Both games will be held in the Ashcroft Center, named for the father.

Guests should enter the Evangel campus from either entrance near the corner of Division and Glenstone, and follow the signs west to the center of campus.

"The Evangel student body will still be on Christmas break, so there will be plenty of FREE parking," added McDonald.

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