She shoots, she scores — Mars resident wins free burritos for a year
Rachel Zimmerman, of Mars, knew what was on the line when she stepped on the court during half-time of the Mars boys basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
Free burritos from Moe’s Southwest Grill for a year.
Zimmerman, a teacher at Pine-Richland, signed up to take part of the Moe's Halftime Challenge during the game against Chartiers Valley Colts. The fundraising event required participants to purchase a ticket for $1 to attempt a three-point shot. If the shot was made, participants then had to attempt a half-court to win 52 free burrito meals throughout the year.
And despite not having a women’s size basketball, the former small-forward and guard at Duquesne University was able to sink her shot in front of the home crowd.
“I ended up just sinking it, which was cool,” Zimmerman said. “I was laughing because I thought I needed a girls ball to make it, but I guess not.”
Mike Geiger, owner of 12 Moe’s locations across Western Pennsylvania, said it was thrilling to watch Zimmerman sink the half-court shot.
“I always get super happy, every time someone makes it, especially when it’s someone younger,” Geiger said. “It’s the reason we like to do programs like this. We can impact lives and have direct interaction with people. We believe we have an obligation to the communities we serve.”
Zimmerman is one of eight people to have won the half-court challenge since the fundraiser started over 15 years ago, said Wyatt W. Campbell, Mars Round Ball Booster president.
The halftime challenge has raised more than $15,000 since it started, according to Campbell.
The challenge is part of the restaurant’s “Welcome to Give Back Program,” which provides community support programs to the Pittsburgh area and Erie communities.
Zimmerman had to deal not only with the pressure of making the half-court shot in front of the senior night crowd, she also had to make the shot before halftime ended.
“The time was ticking for halftime because the teams had to come out and warm up as well,” Zimmerman said. “So I had to just hurry up and shoot it.”
Among the crowd were Zimmerman’s two sons, along with members of the youth basketball team she coaches, “The Kings.”
“Some of the players on my team were there, so they were excited their coach made the shot,” she said.
“But I feel like at the end having two boys and a husband, Moe’s ends up being the winner in this,” Zimmerman said. “I can’t just walk away with one every time I go, so I think they’ll up with a good profit from the Zimmermans.”
