Bulldogs To Participate In Indianapolis Zoo Promotion

June 26, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. -- Junior guard Mike Green became accustomed to big challenges during Butler's remarkably successful 2006-07 men's basketball season. But it's doubtful that he encountered anything as big as what's in store for him at the Elephant Awareness Week celebration being held at the Indianapolis Zoo.

Green and Butler assistant coach Terry Johnson will participate in several activities at the Indianapolis Zoo on Saturday, June 30, as part of a week-long celebration. Green recently completed his first full season as a starting point-guard with the Bulldogs, helping Butler to a 29-7 record, a championship in the NIT Season Tip-Off and a trip to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA National Championship. Johnson, a former Director of Basketball Operations at Butler, returned to the Bulldogs this summer as a full-time assistant coach under new head coach Brad Stevens.

Green and Johnson will begin their day at the zoo with an up-close introduction to an African elephant at 11:30 a.m. They will meet with the elephant's trainers, get to know their sizeable new friend and participate in an Elephant Bath. The two will return to the show area at 1:15 p.m. to lead a group of children from the audience in a tug-of-war against an elephant. And they'll close the afternoon by helping raffle off a painting done by one of the Zoo's elephants.

Each summer the Indianapolis Zoo features its outstanding elephant program with a series of events comprising Elephant Awareness Week. Local celebrities are invited to participate in the educational opportunity. The program runs through July 1.