Criminal Justice students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle will take on members of the area’s police departments during the 5th Annual CJ Students vs. Law Enforcement Basketball Game.

The competition begins on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in Wieden Gymnasium.

For several years running, University students have gone undefeated. This year’s fundraising event for the University’s CJ Club will pit several criminal justice students against local police officers to determine whether this will be the year the police make their comeback, or whether CJ students can pull off another win.Playing for the club are: Josh Esty (sophomore), Josh Mitchell (sophomore), Ryan Kilcollins (sophomore), Dana Austin (freshman), Andrew Levesque (freshman), and others.

Playing for Law Enforcement are: Rob Flynn (Maine State Police) and six other troopers; Eric Lundgren (U.S. Border Patrol) and three other agents.

Not only is the event a good time for both teams, it also raises money for an important educational experience for students. The Criminal Justice Club plans one big trip each year. This year’s event is a fundraiser for the club’s upcoming trip to New York City, where club members will visit the 9/11 site, tour the United Nations and go on ride-alongs with the NYPD.

In previous years, students have travelled to Philadelphia to tour the Eastern State Penitentiary, America’s first penitentiary which is now a historical landmark, and to Washington, D.C. to participate in a specialized Law Enforcement training at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Admission to the basketball game is free for children and UMPI students, $3 for all others. There will be snacks and drinks for sale, as well as Criminal Justice hats and shirts. A 50/50 draw also will be held during the event and the UMPI Dance Team will perform at halftime. For more information, contact Lisa Leduc at 768-9436 or e-mail her at lisa.leduc@maine.edu.