FLORENCE, S.C. – The Francis Marion University men's and women's basketball teams will play host to Clayton State University in a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader as part of Senior Day and Homecoming 2006 festivities, Saturday afternoon (Feb. 25).  The women's basketball game will tip-off at 2 p.m. in the Smith University Center, followed by the men's contest at 4 p.m.   FMU will honor its 1986 NAIA women's basketball national championship squad at halftime of the women’s game.

Homecoming activities will begin Saturday at 11 a.m. with an Old Timers’ women’s basketball game in the gym and an Old Timers’ softball game on the FMU Softball Field, followed at 11:30 a.m. by an Old Timers’ Game for men’s basketball.   Admission to the Old Timers’ events and the regularly scheduled basketball doubleheader is free.

Between 12:30 and 2 p.m., PatriotFest will be held in the Smith University Center. This will include live music, a picnic lunch, an opportunity for alumni to interact, and activities for children.

From 1:30 p.m. until approximately 5 p.m., the eighth-annual Swamp Fox Club Benefit Silent Auction, featuring sports memorabilia and merchandise, will be held in the Smith University Center gym. Admission to the silent auction is free. A live auction with additional items (vacation/getaway packages; fishing trip; golf package; and sports memorabilia) will take place in the Smith University Center’s commons area at 6:30 p.m., following the men’s basketball game. Tickets to the live auction will be available at the door.

Between games of the regularly scheduled basketball doubleheader, at approximately 3:45 p.m., two former Patriot women’s basketball players – Chiffonia “Precious” Adderson and Jennifer Brabson – will be inducted into the FMU Athletic Hall of Fame.

Adderson, a native of Nesmith, S.C.,ended her career as one of only five Patriots to amass 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career. She is fifth on the Patriot career scoring list (1,897), fifth in career rebounds (1,051), third in career blocks (167), and 11th in career steals (201). Adderson was named an honorable mention All-American as a senior, and was chosen as the PBC Freshman of the Year in 1997, and twice earned South Atlantic All-Region recognition.

Brabson, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., ended her career 20th on the all-time Division II scoring list with 2,217 points. At FMU, she still ranks fourth in scoring, 12th in steals (200), 13th in rebounding (758), and 18th in assists (219). She finished her playing days owning 11 school records and six Peach Belt marks, including the conference’s all-time scoring record. She was selected as the PBC’s Player of the Year in 1998 and 1999, and earned All-America recognition in 1999 and 2000. When the Patriots advanced to the Final Four in 1998, she was chosen to the NCAA Elite Eight All-Tournament Team, and she was an NCAA regional All-Tournament team selection in 1999 and 2000. She was a first-team Daktronics All-Region choice three times (1998, 1999, 2000).

Adderson is currently employed as an account manager by ADP Tax Credit Services Inc., and resides in Nesmith. Brabsonis currently employed by ESPN and ABC Sports as a marketing coordinator for sponsorship management and lives in New York City.

The two join 28 current members in the FMU Athletic Hall of Fame, which was formed in 1991.

The 2006 Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at halftime of the FMU/Clayton State men’s game.

The FMU women are 11-14 overall and 9-10 in the PBC, and depending on what happens on the final day of regular-season play, could finish anywhere from fourth to seventh in the PBC. The 21st-ranked Clayton State women are 22-4 overall and at 16-3 in the PBC and have secured the top seed in next week’s conference tournament.  In keeping with Senior Day tradition, the FMU women will recognize their two seniors prior to the game: point guard Courtenay Etheredge and forward Danielle Moore.

The FMU men’s basketball team is 11-15 overall and 6-13 in the PBC, while Clayton State is 21-5 and 14-5. The Patriot men will also honor their six seniors: Michael Carter, Reinaldo Charles, Michael Jenkins, Courtney Lilliston, Vony Rivers, and George Walker.

The 15th-ranked Patriot men’s tennis team will also be in action on Saturday, hosting 22nd-ranked Lander University at 10:30 a.m. on the Kassab Courts.

The 18th-ranked FMU baseball team (8-4) will open its Peach Belt Conference schedule by hosting Lander University (7-3) for a doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m. on Cormell Field.