Creighton and Purdue raising money for tornado recovery during Saturday matchup

A college basketball exhibition will benefit people affected by the April tornadoes in Nebraska.

Creighton will play at the CHI Health Center Arena in downtown Omaha on Saturday.

Bluejay Athletics spokesperson Rob Anderson explained the Purdue connection to tornadoes that ripped through eastern Nebraska on April 26.

“One of the former Creighton assistant coaches is now on the Purdue staff, Paul Lusk. And, he lived out that way. His son went to Elkhorn North, and even though he didn't live here anymore, he was still affected by it,” Anderson said.

Lusk reached out to Creighton coaches about a special preseason matchup.

Proceeds will be sent to the United Way of the Midlands. The organization has a disaster relief fund to help people who are rebuilding and also to prepare for future storms.

“Unfortunately, there's always another disaster that's unforeseen that might be two months from now, might be two years from now, whether it's tornadoes or something else,” Anderson said.

Creighton has partnered with United Way of the Midlands before, he added.

“We try to do our part in the community with different events, and certainly raising lots and lots of money for, in this case, the United Way of the Midlands disaster relief fund is a great thing," he said.

The school has also donated to the American Cancer Society.

Creighton doesn’t have donation projections for Saturday’s game. Tickets are still available at the CHI Health Center Arena box office and DJ Sokol Arena on Creighton’s campus. Lower bowl seats are priced at $30 and upper bowl tickets at $15.

Both programs rank inside the top 15 in the Associated Press poll. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Central Time on Nebraska Public Media.