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LOS ANGELES - As the month of September comes to a close, what comes with it is the official start of the 2016-17 basketball season. LMU men's and women's basketball will officially start practice and with it they will host the inaugural Lions Cookout, a free FanFest on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

The first Lions Cookout will be held on Lawton Plaza and will feature a free BBQ, many games and actives, prizes, raffles and more as fans can get to know the players and coaches for both men's and women's basketball programs as they head into the 2016-17 season.

The festivities begin at 4:30 pm. Prizes include official team gear, LMU swag, and a raffle to win a free trip for two to Las Vegas, Nev., for the 2017 WCC Basketball Championships in March. The prize includes transportation, lodging and game tickets. Fans can register for the trip at the BBQ and the winner will be chosen at the next fan event featuring the LMU basketball, the 2016 Madness on Oct. 20.

During the Lions Cookout, fans can sit and dine with players and coaches, play one of the many games, including corn hole, limbo, giant manga, ladder ball, spike ball, badminton, mini golf, twister and perfect pitch.

Here is what is coming up in and around LMU basketball as the first games approach on Nov. 11:

• Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016: Men's Basketball Season Tickets go on sale
• Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016: Inaugural Lions Cookout - 4:30 to 6:30 pm - Lawton Plaza
• Monday, Oct. 3, 2016: Women's Basketball Season Tickets go on sale
• Monday, Oct. 10, 2016: Special ticket packages for 2016-17 season go on sale
• Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016: Southern California Basketball Coaches Tip-off Luncheon - Men's Basketball - LAAC - Contact Brian Luft for information
• Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016: 2016 Madness - 8 pm - Gersten Pavilion
• Friday, Nov. 4, 2016: Men's basketball exhibition vs. Sonoma State - 7 pm - Gersten Pavilion
• Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016: Women's basketball exhibition vs. The Masters - 7 pm - Gersten Pavilion

For more information on tickets, visit LMULions.com/tickets.

Support LMU's 22 intercollegiate teams and it's student-athletes through scholarships and team support by joining the Lions Athletics Fund. Your help will make LMU #LIONSTRONG.