Happy New Year and welcome to 2012. As the weather gets colder basketball fever gets hotter, and we have the cure. Hoop for HOPE is scheduled and we look forward to a fun & competitive experience March 24th this year. Due to a scheduling conflict with South High School, we will be holding the tournament at the newly remodeled Nebraska Elite Sports & Fitness Complex. Stay tuned for updated registration forms and flyers.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Hoop for HOPE. We had a total of 18 teams and raised over $2,000.00 for HOPE worldwide! The young and impressive team Elkhorn Attack went undefeated as they won the youth 10-12 division; even overcoming the “Goliath” Redeem Team, of 15 year olds, who won the 13-15 year old bracket by 1 point. The Rec division saw last year’s champions from Hope Community Church/Screaming Eagles defend and retain their title overcoming the NFM men. Some heavy competition arose in the pros as two coed teams made it to the semi-finals, proving they could ball with the men. But in the end, team Soul’d Out from the Omaha Church of Christ faced the reigning champions from Kansas City with their 6’9″ center Kyle Spears. In the end this Goliath could not be brought down as the “Jayhawks” brought home the Pro division trophy for the second year in a row.
I’d like to say thanks to all the spectators who came to watch; you made the tournament fun with your cheers and gasps as we attempted to attain some minor glory. Thank you to the volunteers; this would not have been possible without the generous giving of your time and sound judgment in the competitive moments. Thanks again to the sponsors; you don’t have to support our cause but your support makes our victories taste sweeter, our days of recovery smoother and the overall tournament a step above the rest. Finally thanks to my beautiful wife, Tianna, it is true what they say “behind every great man, is an even greater woman.”
-Richard Krueger
Tournament Coordinator
HuHot:178th and West Center
UPDATE!
This years Pep Rally will once again be held at HuHot in west Omaha at 17660 Wright Plaza. Come join us for dinner and 10% of the evening sales will be donated to benefit HOPE worldwide. You can also enter in a raffle to win an autographed football from 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch. Tickets will be sold at $3 each or buy 4 tickets for $10. We will draw a winner at 8:30 pm and you do not have t be present to win. For more information on HuHot Mongolian grill check out their website at http://www.huhot.com/.
Thanks again for you sponsorship of HOPE worldwide and Hoop for HOPE Omaha!
It’s that time of year again… March Madness. That means it’s time for basketball and bracket busters. Hoop for HOPE has been scheduled for Saturday March 26th 2011. We are back at South High School and this year check in will start at 9:00 am so you late risers can sleep in a little longer. New this year is a split in youth divisions, grouping 10-12 year olds and 13-15 year olds so if you can drive to the tournament you’ll be playing with the adults. As always we have our Rec division for those coming to have fun and support the cause no matter your age, talent or gender. Finally, for you “superstars” there is the Pro division where the best of the best play and the winner takes home the Tournament trophy. Of course as always there are trophies for 1st and 2nd place in every division and coupons for merchandise from our sponsors.
Don’t forget about our 3-point contest. It is an additional $4 this year with the winner taking home a brand new basketball, donated by Scheel’s. You’ll have 45 seconds to shoot in the 1st round, with the top two scores facing off in a 45 second 2nd round. If there is a tie at the end of the 1st round everyone tied with the top two scores advances to the 2nd round with the top score of the 2nd round winning the prize. If there is a tie at the end of the 2nd round the contestants face off in a 30 second final contest.
Please get your teams together and complete the registration forms. The deadline to register is March 22nd and you can mail or e-mail the forms in. Contact Hoop for HOPE coordinator Richard Krueger with any questions at (402) 630-5197.