When given a choice between work and play, most children will take playtime every time.

Given that reality, it’s a good bet that the University of Maine’s latest athletic promotion will be well-received. You’ve heard of Take Your Child to Work Day? Well, UMaine counters with Take a Kid to the Game day.

All full-priced adult tickets sold for Saturday night’s UMaine men’s basketball home game against University of Maryland Baltimore County will entitle buyers to a free youth ticket for youths, ages 17 and under.

The 7 p.m. game at Alfond Arena is an important America East conference game for both teams as the Black Bears are 4-3 in the conference and coming off a tough loss to Boston University while UMBC is 3-4. Take a Kid to the Game day is an annual NCAA-sponsored event entering its ninth year which. The program, which is hosted by more than 500 institutions nationwide, is designed to give children a chance to experience intercollegiate athletics in various stadiums and arenas.

Maine’s men are 10-6 overall, while the UMBC Retrievers are 6-10.

Tickets can be purchased at the UM athletic office or by calling 581-BEAR (2327).

‘Super Suppah’

UMaine athletic supporters also are invited to join their friends in bidding to have a UMaine head coach sit with them at the upcoming Super Suppah.

The dinner, which features a $10,000 grand prize drawing, will take place Feb. 8 at the Wells Conference Center on the Orono campus. Proceeds from the event will go to the Black Bear Club Scholarship Fund.

A silent auction bidding for the coaches begins with Saturday’s home men’s basketball game against Maryland Baltimore County. Men’s coach John Giannini, softball coach Deb Smith and men’s soccer coach Travers Evans are up for grabs this weekend.

Bidders for coaches must purchase a $275 Super Suppah ticket (good for two dinners) and must not be present at the game to bid (bids may be called in to the Black Bear Club prior to the game). The minimum bid is $40 and bidders work with the athletic department to determine 10 people who will sit at the table.

Bidding for men’s hockey coach Tim Whitehead, football coach Jack Cosgrove, baseball coach Paul Kostacopoulos, track and field coach Jim Ballinger and volleyball coach Sue Medley will be held at the Maine-New Hampshire men’s hockey game on Jan. 31, while women’s basketball coach Sharon Versyp, field hockey coach Terry Kix, women’s soccer coach Scott Atherley and swimming coach Jeff Wren will be up for grabs on Feb. 1 during the Maine-Stony Brook women’s basketball contest.

For more information, call the Black Bear Club at 581-1130.