Students, Donkeys Help Raise Funds For Charity

It was the night of the big Northwood-vs-Mead basketball game, and Amy Shaver admitted she was nervous.

“I just don’t want to look like a fool,” the Northwood Middle School eighth-grader said, sighing as she scanned the lineup.

Galloping Gertie, Biscuit, Speed Spasm and others stood calmly, twitching fuzzy ears, seemingly unconcerned with the impending game. But Shaver’s worry was not unfounded - she and her teammates would soon find out that donkeys can be as stubborn as mules.

An almost-annual, 15-year tradition at Mead Middle School, donkey basketball games usually pit class against class to raise money for the Wishing Star Foundation.

This year, however, school officials decided to try for a bigger crowd with some good-spirited, cross-district competition. They invited students and teachers from Northwood to play. Students from each school worked together to organize the event, which will benefit the same charity.

Donkey Sports Inc., owned by Bruce and Sandy Wick of Entiat, Wash., has been providing the northwest with donkey basketball and baseball for 20 years.

“As far as I know, we’re the only ones left in the Northwest,” said Aaron Shirley, head donkey wrangler and referee. At one time, there were three donkey sports outfits traveling around the western states, he said.

Donkey basketball is played in four 10-minute quarters. Each team includes four donkeys, four riders and an extra human, who has to keep a foot in the circle at center court.

To protect the court and give them some traction, the four-legged players are fitted with neoprene shoes - some are nailed on to the hooves like horseshoes and some are clamped on. At last week’s game, humans opted for sneakers or chunky-soled oxfords.

To shoot, pass or play defense, players must be on their donkey. To get a loose ball, players can dismount but they have to take their donkeys with them - an innocuous-sounding rule which provided the real challenge of the game. The donkeys weren’t very obedient.

The other challenge was in just getting on.

The donkeys stand about chest-high and there are no stirrups to help riders execute that perfect equestrian mount. Instead, players have to bellyflop onto the animal’s back and swing a leg over the side - all while trying to hold on to the basketball.

Shirley advised players not to fear the dismount.

“You have to be willing to get off the donkey,” he explained. “Most people are afraid they can’t get back on.”

Despite what some may think, Shirley is convinced the donkeys like to play.

“If they didn’t, I wouldn’t be doing this,” he said. “Most animals prefer to work than to stand around in a pasture.”

The donkeys only play charity events and work for a percentage of the night’s profits.

Last week, fans from Northwood and Mead packed the bleachers and filled the gym with school spirit. Northwood brought a contingent of cheerleaders, clad in leis, feather boas and tutus. Bare-chested Mead boys ran the gym’s perimeter, shouting and pumping their fists. Kids in the front rows shrieked and scrambled upward as donkeys rushed past their seats.

Middle schoolers strapped on their helmets and shot each other wide-eyed looks as they hoisted themselves onto the donkeys’ backs. The expression on Shaver’s face was equal parts joy and terror.

Mead scored first, about 10 minutes into the game. Then points volleyed back and forth. Tension and cheers escalated with every shot.

“It was so hard,” wailed Mead eighth-grader Jessi Shoemaker, fresh off the court. “I couldn’t get up there, and then when I did, it wouldn’t move!”

Donkeys ambled easily around the court, often seeming to be playing a game of their own. But then, suddenly, magically, the donkeys would trot toward the basket and come to a halt directly beneath it, providing the riders a perfect shot.

During halftime, the gym floor became a kind of petting zoo, with fans rushing down to pet and pose with the donkeys.

In the end, Northwood came out on top, 18-16. But this game was about more than points.

“The score is not as important as the enthusiasm generated,” said Dave Ticker, ASB advisor at Mead Middle School. “We hope to have started a new tradition for a good cause.”

More information For more information about Donkey Sports Inc., call (800) 497-3912.