EDWARDSVILLE - Members of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Department engaged in friendly competition on the basketball court with students involved in Brother 2 Brother, an organization that brings together men of color who live in University Housing.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

The Unity Basketball Game took place on Saturday, Dec. 9 in the Student Fitness Center on campus. The Brother 2 Brother team proved victorious with a final score of 62-50. Brother 2 Brother facilitators James Horne and Iván Solis Cruz planned the fun event.

Police Chief Kevin Schmoll, patrol officers and other police personnel made up the SIUE Police team, coached by Associate Director of Residence Life Rex Jackson. The Brother 2 Brother team included Maurice Hursey, Brandon Thomas, Derrick Brown, Trevon Bosley, Diego Espinoza, Trevahn Williams, James Horne, and Iván Cruz Solis, with coach Michael Schultz, director of University Housing,

Article continues after sponsor message

“It was a competitive basketball game, but it really was more than just an athletic event,” Schmoll said. “It was an opportunity to bring together police, students and the campus community, and to see the police officers outside of work. I hope it was a great learning experience for the students to take the meaning of unity and working together, and build on that for the future.”

Members of Brother 2 Brother engaged in friendly competition with SIUE Police during the Unity Basketball Game.

The main focus of Brother 2 Brother is to allow students to connect with peers, and discuss opportunities and challenges that come with being a man of color in college. The program enables participants to reach their full potential by finding success on campus.

After the game, student participants shared a short statement on what unity means to them and why it is important.

For more information regarding Brother 2 Brother, contact Bluff Hall Assistant Community Director Iván Solis Cruz at (618) 650-0579 or jsolisc@siue.edu.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose to shape a changing world. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of nearly 14,000.

Prefer RiverBender on Google
Copyright 2026 Riverbender.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

More like this:

Annual Ballin With A Cop Basketball Event Returns to Alton
Apr 26, 2026
June 6 in History: D-Day, RFK, The Beatles and Other Defining Moments
Jun 6, 2026
East Alton Board Unanimously Approves Police Promotion and Demolitions
Jun 16, 2026
Juneteenth Wellness and Unity Fair set for June 18, 2026, in East St. Louis
Jun 1, 2026
Four East Alton Properties Targeted for Demolition Approval
Jun 15, 2026