Hoops for Hope Huge Success
Hoops for Hope Huge Success
March Madness in Grayslake resulted in the largest Hoops for Hope tournament in the six years since it started six years ago. 110 teams with approximately 450 players helped raise almost $28,000 for the non-profit 12 Oaks Foundation-a new record. Hundreds more siblings, parents and grandparents and friends showed up to cheer on their favorite teams. It takes a team of over 100 volunteers to execute the two-day event from concession stand to referees, the event is not possible without their contributions!
Not only did players show talent, they showed true sportsmanship and many went above and beyond personally raising $5,500 through peer-to-peer giving.
Winners included:
Fr Boys - D4 Bound
Soph boys - Chicken Fried
5th Boys - Clutch Ballers
6th Boys - EJ Buckets
8th Girls - Splash Sisters
Jr/Sr 1 - Shooters Shoot
5th Girls - Hoop there it is.
7th Boys - Final 4
8th Boys - The Benchwarmers
HS Girls - Straight outta Carmel
6/7 Girls Shooting Starz
4th Boys - Lockdown
8th Boys - LZ Elite
4th Boys - Lockdown
"We wanted to bring families together for a fun weekend, with a little spirited competition thrown in," said Steve Hupp, who founded 12 Oaks along with his wife, Julie. Hupp says he hopes the tournament will create more awareness for the foundation and how it can help the community.
The Hupps established 12 Oaks Foundation in memory of their son, Matthew Hupp, who died of Burkitt's Lymphoma in 2009 at age 13. Matt loved playing sports and developed many of his strengths through team participation, say his parents. After his death, they decided to create a charity to help give other kids similar opportunities. Using funds raised through events like Hoops for Hope, 12 Oaks provides grants for sports and other programs for children in families experiencing financial hardship related to ongoing cancer treatment within the family. Proceeds from the tournament will help provide grants to children and their families.