Gonzaga and Lewis-Clark to Hold Charity Game Wednesday
The exhibition match at McCarthey Athletic Center will raise funds for families affected by local wildfires.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Should college basketball programs prioritize hosting charity exhibition games to aid local disaster relief efforts?
Gonzaga University and Lewis-Clark State College will meet for a charity exhibition basketball game this Wednesday at 6 p.m. The contest, held at the McCarthey Athletic Center, will see Lewis-Clark State donate its $5,000 appearance fee to the Karen Worthy Memorial Wildfire Grant.
Why it matters
Organized to support victims of the Spokane Complex fires, the event allows both schools to bypass standard scheduling limits through a special NAIA charity designation. The game provides Gonzaga with a necessary exhibition opponent while offering Lewis-Clark State a competitive experience.
Lewis-Clark State College will donate its $5,000 appearance fee to the Karen Worthy Memorial Wildfire Grant. The team maintains a 72% winning percentage under coach Austin Johnson.
The players
Austin Johnson
He is the head coach of the Lewis-Clark State College basketball team who petitioned the NAIA for this exhibition match.
Gonzaga University
It is a private Jesuit university in Spokane that competes in the West Coast Conference.
Lewis-Clark State College
It is a public college located in Lewiston, Idaho, that maintains an athletic program within the NAIA.
The details
Coach Austin Johnson successfully petitioned the NAIA to authorize this matchup, ensuring the teams could play despite standard NCAA and NAIA scheduling constraints. The event will be broadcast locally on KHQ for residents in the Spokane area.
Timeline
The exhibition game tips off Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Gonzaga defeated Lewis-Clark State 116-62 in 2019.
Gonzaga defeated Lewis-Clark State 96-58 in 2024.
Market Landscape
This game marks a departure from the strict enforcement of NAIA standard scheduling limits to facilitate a charitable cause. By leveraging this exception, the institutions illustrate a trend toward utilizing collegiate athletic events as vehicles for local philanthropic relief.
Local residents can attend the game at the McCarthey Athletic Center or watch the broadcast on KHQ to support wildfire recovery efforts. The ticket revenue and associated donation directly assist families impacted by the Spokane Complex fires.
The takeaway
This event demonstrates how academic athletic departments can navigate regulatory structures to mobilize community support. Readers interested in regional aid should monitor future updates from the Karen Worthy Memorial Wildfire Grant.
Further reading
For more background on regional efforts, see Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Spokesman Review.
Live Poll
Should college basketball programs prioritize hosting charity exhibition games to aid local disaster relief efforts?
