Hoops For Hope 2011 - Aaron's Butt Is In Danger!

Hoops For Hope on Facebook

Did you know that Hoops For Hope is on facebook? That's right check out our page at www.facebook.com/hoopsforhopeALS and LIKE the page to keep up with what's new for this year's tournament.

Hoops For Hope 2010 - Tournament Details

Hoops For Hope 2010 is taking place on Saturday August 28th in Toms River, NJ. The venue is called Skyview Park. It is right off of Vaughn Avenue. If you don't know where it is, there are maps below in previous posts. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you need directions.

It is 3 on 3 basketball. No Subs. If someone on your team can not play due to injury then I'm sure we can get someone from another team to fill in for that player.

This is a friendly tournament and all ages, and skill levels are welcome. Teams will not be designated into Categories or Distinctions. Once we have the teams registered we'll do our best to match people up with teams of similar skill level but it is by no means a requirement for registration. The tournament is about getting people together to rally around a cause that my family and many others hold dear to their hearts. Of course it will be competitive but there will be no scouts from NBA teams looking for their next prospect. Come have fun and play some good basketball.

The tournament is double elimination. Basically this means you have to lose twice before you're out of the tournament. If you have one bad game you're team is still in it. Everyone will call their own fouls. We will have volunteers on hand to settle any disputes but we don't anticipate having to do that.

We will try our best to begin play at 10:00 am. There are eight half courts at Skyview Park. This means 16 teams can play at one time. If there's more then 16 teams then you will be waiting at some point in the day. But look at the bright side you can rest up and keep an eye on the competition at the same time.


We will be supplying drinks for the tournament. There are several Wawa's and other stores nearby so you can grab something to eat or pack it ahead of time.

I hope this answers some questions. If there is anything that you need clarification on you can reach out to me at hoopsforhope@msn.com or call me at 732-608-4699. New Details will emerge everyday until the tournament so be sure to check back in every now and then.

The Registration fee is $75, with all proceeds going to The ALS Association - Greater Philadelphia Chapter. If you get your registration in before 8-27-10 your team recieve free T-shirts. The registration form is below.

Hoops For Hope 2010 Registration Form

Click on the Registration Form Above, Print it out, fill it out, and Mail it in with a Check made out to Hoops For Hope - All teams that register by August 27th 2010 will recieve T-shirts, so get your registration in early!

Hoops For Hope Is Back!

Last year's tournament was so successful we had to do it again. Hoops For Hope 2010 will be on August 28th, returning to Skyview Park in Toms River, NJ. Registration will begin soon so start getting your teams ready!

Tournament Announcement on Stand UP! w/Pete Dominick - P.O.T.U.S. Sirius 110 XM 130

Last Week I was able to announce the Tournament on the Radio Show that I work on and you can listen to it here

Pretty Cool

Registration Forms - Adult and Under 18

Registration Form for the Tournament. Mail to this Address along with a check for the entry fee. Make the Check payable to Hoops For Hope

P. Hodges
212 Cedar Street Lakehurst, NJ 08733

My Favorite Player Ever

No one had more heart then John Starks! I still get chills everytime I see "The Dunk." Who's Your Favorite Player?

Gunnin For That #1 Spot

Cool Hoops Movie I started watching last night: Produced and Directed by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch aka MCA

Donations

If you are not interested in participating in the tournament but you'd still like to donate, you can do so by following this link and mention Hoops For Hope when you do so. Thank you so much. Every Donation counts no matter the amount.

Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech

ALS In The News

NEW YORK - Derek Jeter helped Major League Baseball commemorate the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's luckiest man speech Saturday, reading the famous line from the icon's stirring words during a video tribute before the New York Yankees' game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Yankees also placed a wreath of red, white and blue flowers by Gehrig's monument in Monument Park and made a $25,000 donation to Major League Baseball's "4 (diamond) ALS" initiative, an effort to raise awareness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — the disease that forced Gehrig out of baseball in 1939 and took his life two years later.


"It's one thing to me to have the game taken away from you before it should be but when you start talking about taking your life before it should, the way he handled it was incredible," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who has an uncle with ALS.

Read the rest of the story here

Sponsors

So Far we've been blessed with a sponsorship from Staples, who provided us with the copies needed to make the flyers, registration forms and waivers. Thank You Staples!

Also Applebee's, Cafe Napoli, Modell's, Yellow Brick Road Ice Cream Shops, Broadway Bagel, Jersey Mike's, Giampapa's, Rich's Ice Cream and Sirius Sports in Toms River, NJ have all donated Gift Cards that will be given out as prizes.

Entenmann's has agreed to provide donuts, cookies and other tasty treats for the event! Visit the Entenmann's outlet store in Brick, NJ

Bada Bing Pizzeria right on West Ave in Toms River, Shoprite, and Boston have all come on as sponsors.

Please Help Support all of our sponsors who were generous enough to lend support to the event!

Tournament Details

If Anyone is confused by the Flyers, Facebook page or any other vessel of information for the tournament, I will attempt to spell out the details as best as I can.

It is taking place on Saturday August 1st in Toms River, NJ. The venue is called Skyview Park. It is right off of Vaughn Avenue. If you don't know where it is, there are maps on the previous blog post. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you need directions.

It is 3 on 3 basketball. No Subs. If someone on your team can not play due to injury then I'm sure we can get someone from another team to fill in for that player.

This is a friendly tournament and all ages, and skill levels are welcome. Teams will not be designated into Categories or Distinctions. Once we have the teams registered we'll do our best to match people up with teams of similiar skill level but it is by no means a requirement for registration. The tournament is about getting people together to rally around a cause that my family and many others hold dear to their hearts. Of course it will be competitive but there will be no scouts from NBA teams looking for their next prospect. Come have fun and play some good basketball.

The tournament is double elimination. Basically this means you have to lose twice before you're out of the tournament. If you have one bad game you're team is still in it. Everyone will call their own fouls. We will have volunteers on hand to settle any disputes but we don't anticipate having to do that.

We will try our best to begin play at 10:00 am. There are eight half courts at Skyview Park. This means 16 teams can play at one time. If there's more then 16 teams then you will be waiting at some point in the day. But look at the brightside you can rest up and keep an eye on the competition at the same time.

All players will have to sign a waiver the day of the event. This basically means that if you happen to get hurt, you can not hold Toms River Twp, the ALS Association or the Hoops For Hope Organizers responsible.

We will be supplying food for the event. Most likely sandwiches, drinks, chips and things of that nature.

I am hearing some good things about more and more people being interested in playing so hopefully we can have a great turnout. I hope this answers some questions. If there is anything that you need clarification on you can reach out to me at hoopsforhope@msn.com or call me at 732-608-4699. New Details will emerge everyday until the tournament so be sure to check back in every now and then.

Good Luck,
Aaron Hodges

Directions to Skyview Park

From All Points North of Toms River:
View Larger Map


From All Points South of Toms River:
View Larger Map


From All Points West of Toms River:
View Larger Map

The Reason for Hoops For Hope

Hoops For Hope is something that I've thought about doing for a few years and have finally begun to put it together. Maybe I just needed some inspiration or maybe I'm finally coming into my own. Responsibility has never been a strong character trait for me until recently. Putting this tournament together has been a test and so far with the help of Family and Friends it's off to a good start. (psssssst....I'm the brainchild and my mother is the driving force)

A few days ago while discussing tournament preparartions with said mother, she asked me if I would be dissapointed by a small turnout. Since this is our first time creating a fundraiser from scratch I have been somewhat skeptical that it would be a success. We've had to deal with getting permits from Toms River Twp, getting insurance and approval from the ALS Association and quite honestly we've been extremely busy. Needless to say the time has flown from the moment I decided to officially put the wheels in motion and I worry that there isn't enough time to mobilize people and get them to schedule this event on their calendar. Everyone is busy and yes it has to be said....it's tough economically as well.

To be honest I will probably be slightly dissapointed if there are let's say less then 10 teams that sign up, but I'm trying to remember the reason why I wanted to do this in the first place. To honor my Grandfather, William "Poppy" Johnson while also raising awareness and money for the ALS Association so that maybe one day other families won't have to lose a loved one to this horrific disease commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Poppy was the greatest man I've ever known and the love that so many people had for him made it seem as if he was larger than life. His passing has proved to me that he was indeed larger than life because I see so much of him in my little cousins and my entire family. In many ways I aspire to be like Poppy, although I don't think I'll ever have eight kids.

Why Basketball?

Because I love it and many other people do too. Some of my closest friends have been made on the street with nothing but a ball and a hoop and my favorite memories of Poppy were playing basketball in his driveway while he gave his own play by play ("Earl the Pearl from the corner!")

So that's why I decided to put this event together. Plus, it's always nice to rally around a great cause.

This is a learning experience and hopefully we can do it again next year when we're better prepared and know what to expect. If you're reading this right now and you think you might want to help spread the word, or help with the event, please don't hesitate to ask. I hope to see you there!

Thank You,

Aaron Hodges

You can reach me at hoopsforhope@msn.com or 732-608-4699

We are working on sponsors this week for food, prizes, etc.....
I believe we'll have a DJ at the event as well. Just have to make sure we have the capabilities. Directions to Skyview Park will be up tomorrow along with more in depth details about the tournament.

Hoops For Hope Registration Form

Registration Form for the Tournament. Mail to this Address along with a check for the entry fee. Make the Check payable to Hoops For Hope

P. Hodges
212 Cedar Street Lakehurst, NJ 08733

Poppy's Posse

William "Poppy" Johnson - Throwing a Perfect Touchdown Strike and Making it Look Easy