LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland men's basketball is set to host the first annual Kid's Day at the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena as the Phoenix host Bethel (Ind.) at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 18. 

"We want every young kid to become a Phoenix one day and believe they make a difference in our world. Our youth is so important to our future in the State of Tennessee and Wilson County," Vice President of Athletics Ron Pavan said. "It will be a great experience for them to step foot on a college campus and hopefully inspire them to go for their dreams"

Cumberland University is extending a warm welcome to elementary school kids from Castle Heights Elementary, Coles Ferry Elementary, Sam Houston Elementary, and Jones-Brummett Elementary School to attend the men's basketball game.

The kids attending will be fourth and fifth grade students from these schools. Cumberland anticipates approximately 750 students to be attending. The game will serve as a field trip for the students as they will eat in the Philips Dining Hall before heading over to the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena in time for tip-off.

The event will tie into some of the Community Service activities the student-athletes do during the season. They go and play with the kids at Sam Houston and other schools as well as read to the elementary school kids during Read Across America Week each year in March. 

Pavan also said, "I want to thank Becky Kegley and the Lebanon Special School District for having the elementary students attend our game."

The game should be a highly entertaining match up between two of the top scoring offenses. As of today, the Pilots are averaging 88.8 points per game, fifth-best in the NAIA. Bethel is led by Drew Lutz who is scoring at a high-volume at 25.1 points per game. The Phoenix are averaging 75.8 points per game led by junior Demarius Boyd at 22.3 points per game. 

Before tip-off next Monday, the Phoenix will be in Florida for the Southeastern Classic as they take on host Southeastern this Friday and Florida College on Saturday.