University of California Riverside Athletics

The UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team takes to the national stage for the first time ever on Saturday, January 30 as they host Pacific at 5 pm PT in a game being broadcast live from the Student Recreation Center on ESPN2. It is the Highlanders' debut appearance on any of the Worldwide Leader In Sports programming entities.

Also in attendance will be members of our nation's military and the Wounded Warrior Project as the Highlanders host Military Appreciation Night and honor the men and women of the United States armed forces.

"We are deeply honored and humbled by the sacrifices made on a daily basis by the men and women of the United States military," said UC Riverside Director of Athletics Stan Morrison. "We can never fully repay the debt of gratitude we owe to them, but we are pleased to be able to honor them Saturday evening, and shine a light on the Wounded Warrior Project."

Wounded Warriors Ivan Krimker (pictured on right) and Ernesto Gutierrez will be honored by the entire UC Riverside community during halftime ceremonies.

Krimker is a native of Argentina who moved to the United States at the age of 23. In addition to his regular employment, Krimker volunteered as an advocate for sexual assault survivors before the events of September 11, 2001 motivated him to join the military.

His first deployment took him to the cities of Karbala and Najaf in Iraq. In 2004, his unit was attempting to secure entry into a building in Najaf when they came under attack by rocket propelled grenades and he was knocked unconscious. When he came to, he realized his platoon sergeant was wounded by shrapnel, and Krimker covered him with his own body shielding his platoon sergeant from further injury.

In 2005, Krimer received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for the courage and initiative he displayed that night. A political science major, he has made the Dean's list every quarter while at UC Riverside and begins law school in the fall.

Ernesto "Ernie" Gutierrez is a retired Marine Corps Staff Sergeant with 13 years of service to his country. He served two tours of duty in Iraq, and was injured when an improvised explosive device detonated under his amphibious assault vehicle while traveling near Haqlaniyah in the Al Anbar province.

For his bravery, Gutierrez received the Navy Achievement Award and the Citation for Excellence in Service Award. He now works for Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) as her veteran/military caseworker. Gutierrez is pursuing his bachelor's degree in graphic design at the Art Institute.

“While stationed overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, our nation’s military personnel participated in sports during their downtime and even after severe injury, wounded service members continue to use athletic endeavors as a tool in their rehabilitation,” said Steve Nardizzi, executive director of Wounded Warrior Project. “Being recognized on the stage that is a collegiate sporting event, profoundly assists WWP in our mission and serves as a once in a lifetime experience for WWP alumni.”

About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. It serves to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call (904) 296-7350 or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.