RAPID CITY - The Western Dakota Tech fire science club and the Rapid City Fire Department are putting on a benefit basketball game for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Humane Society of the Black Hills on Friday, April 4.

The first-ever benefit game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Rapid City Central's Naasz Gymnasium and will pit future firefighters against players that are currently firefighters. The proceeds from the gate will be split right down the middle, with half going to MDA and half to the Humane Society. There is no charge for admission at the door, but donations are encouraged.

"The fire department has a history of helping the MDA," fire science student Chris Brubaker said. Brubaker has been one of the main organizers of this event. "The Humane Society is really close to our campus and so we drive by it all the time. Plus, a few of the guys have adopted pets there in the last year, so we thought it was a natural fit."

The idea for the game came about as a lot of these things do, with a little friendly challenge.

"We've got a hoop in our bay over here," Brubaker said of the WDT fire science club, which also has a team that plays in the Rapid City Recreation League. "So we play ball over here, and there are some guys at the fire station who play. They stared talking a little trash about how they'd beat us and we said we'd beat them and that's kind of how it all started. We said we'd play them and then decided that we might as well do it for charity."

The game will have a competitive feel, despite being all for a good cause. The teams will have uniforms, there will be referees and score will be kept. Plus, the winner gets to take home a prize.

"We even went out and bought a trophy," Brubaker said. "It's going to be a travelling trophy that will go back and forth depending on who wins the game. We want this to become an event that lasts for a long time."

Halftime will feature a raffle and entertainment by the hot shots.

For more information, call Chris Brubaker at 484-4991.