A coach's promise

IU women's basketball coach Kathi Bennett has always demanded a lot from her players. Now she has asked IU fans to toe the line in the annual Pack the Hall night.\nThe Hoosier coach will pledge $5,000 of her own money to the Wabash Valley affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation if IU breaks their existing single game attendance record when they host Wisconsin on Friday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at Assembly Hall. The previous record is 5,503 fans.\n"There is a great reward in this, because we are creating awareness, and in the process, getting fans to come watch a very entertaining team," Bennett said.\nIn IU's last home game Sunday, the Hoosiers defeated No. 23 Ohio State 54-50, and a pivotal reason was the crowd. A season-high 2,845 watched the Hoosiers shock the Buckeyes after they trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half.\n"I don't think people have any idea the impact they have. It makes a huge difference," said Bennett, who has compiled a 46-29 record at IU.\nAfter claiming the victory over Ohio State, IU improved to 9-4 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten.\nHigh school and middle school girls' basketball programs throughout the state of Indiana have been invited to attend this game compliments of IU Athletics.\nVolunteers from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation will be involved on game day, passing out information and educational materials about breast cancer and accepting donations.\nAccording to the organization's Web site, www.komen.org, the mission of the charity is to fight breast cancer through research, education, screenings and treatment. The foundation sponsors an annual Race for the Cure, which drew over 1.3 million participants last year. \nBennett has put together the highest winning percentage through her first two years of any coach in school history with a minimum of 50 games and she wants to create excitement about the IU women's basketball program.\n"Having fans in the stands really is a difference-maker in close games, especially in conference," Bennett said. "This team relies on defense, and defense comes from the heart. Having people in the stands makes us play that much harder. This team works so hard as it is, and they deserve it"