SLIPPERY ROCK — It’s the day many have been planning for.

The Senior Olympics of Western PA will be holding a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for women 50 years of age or older Saturday at Slippery Rock University’s Aebersold Recreational Center.

Three-pointers will fall and an exhibition of skills will be on display, but the arrangement and execution of the annual event depends in large part on the efforts of a group of SRU students.

“The students have been involved with this partnership since 2004,” SRU sport management professor Dr. Robertha Abney said. “The sports management program really developed this partnership with the Senior Olympics of Western Pennsylvania.

“The students actually plan, organize, and implement the 3-on-3 senior women’s basketball tournament.”

Such an event has been held annually since the partnership was formed. The tournament will consist of 18 teams — eight of which are from Pennsylvania. Other crews participating come from Michigan, Maryland, and Texas. This event falls on a non-qualifying year.

“This year, it’s kind of a warm-up for nationals, which will be held in Pittsburgh in July,” tournament director and Senior Olympics of Western PA (SOWPA) club founder Carol McCollough said. “The students pretty much run the event the day of the tournament.”

The event is treated for all intents and purposes as a class project. The students divide into committees regarding marketing, promotions, finances, facility, and sponsorship.

“Those students are usually on those committees as a result of their interests with reference to the sport industry,” Abney said. “It allows them an opportunity to also gain some experience in those areas.

“For example, the marketing committee, those students created the logo. They will have t-shirts, not only for all of the participants, but for the students in the class who will be working the event.”

The students even decide what sort of award the winning team receives. They’re given free reign on everything from formatting shooting contests to providing breakfasts.

In terms of play, the event began having one court available for women 25 and over who would like to play in tournament last year.

“The Department of Sport Management, Tourism, and Hospitality has been very supportive,” Abney said. “The students certainly enjoy it. The students are looking forward to a practical experience when they take the course.

“It’s a very good experience for the participants, as well, in terms of coming onto the campus, seeing the university.”