Support FIU Athletics, win prizes

Panthers fan Lavarr Farmer had plenty to cheer about last season.

Farmer, a sophomore biology major, witnessed the historic FIU football season where the Panthers won six of their eight Sun Belt Conference games, clinched their first conference crown and their first-ever bowl berth.

Actually, he saw a lot of winning last season by several FIU teams. For his support, Farmer took home a plasma TV, the grand prize in the 2010-2011 Panther Points program presented by Brickell Motors. He also won an iPod Touch, mini-fridge and PlayStation 3.

“I went crazy, and I was really excited when they told me I was the grand prize winner,” Farmer said. “My dorm got furnished. I live right across from FIU Stadium so it was an easy walk bringing all the prizes back home.”

Panther Points are designed to reward FIU students for their support of FIU Athletics. It’s simple to participate: Students just need to have their FIU One Card scanned at the Panther Points tent at all Athletics events. That’s it. Each time a card is scanned, a set number of points will be automatically credited to that student’s account. (The amount of points each athletic contest is worth will vary.) Without warning, students present may be awarded double points at select contests. Students accumulate points throughout the year, and those with the most points (top 100) become eligible to win prizes at end-of-the-semester and end-of-the-year raffles. (The Fall semester raffle will take place at the men’s basketball game Saturday, Dec. 3.)

Initially, Farmer, who attended nearly 70 FIU games this past year, finished fourth in the Panther Points fall semester contest. Lashelle Farmer, Lavarr’s sister, was the winner of the fall semester.

“I went to FIU games anyway because I love sports, and I like rooting for the Panthers,” said Lavarr. “Seeing my sister win made me think I would have a chance to win as well.”

Lavarr cleaned up with four different prizes as the grand prize winner. Lashelle, a junior majoring in early childhood education, won a laptop as the fall semester winner.

“She was angry she won just a laptop and I got all these prizes,” Lavarr joked about his sister.

Said Lashelle, with a laugh: “No, I wasn’t angry. Lavarr joked that the prizes are all his but it would be nice if he could share. I think it’s pretty cool that FIU has a winner for the semester and a year round winner that way you have more than one chance to win.”

In all the Farmers attended between 30 to 40 FIU sporting events each semester, but Lavarr went to a few more games than Lashelle when he finished with 150 more points than his sister.

“The Panther Points is a great program,” Lavarr said. “It really pays off for being a fan. It makes you feel like you are a part of the team. You are part of FIU.”

The program began this year with the Aug. 21 FIU women’s soccer game.

In the 2011-2012 season, students have the chance to win 40” 1080 HD TVs, iPad2s, laptops and iPods.

Complete information on the Panther Points program, including the rules and leaderboard, can be accessed on FIUSports.com.