Sunday, April 11th marks the date of the 1st Annual Santa Barbara Special Olympics 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament Fundraiser, “Hoop it Up for Special Olympics,” at the UCSB Events Center. Twenty teams are registered and there is still time to register your team on Sunday at the Thunderdome starting at 9am. Games start at 9:45am. Students, community members and corporate teams will be competing and “hooping it up” in the men’s and women’s divisions, bracketed by age group. “Hoop It Up” benefits Special Olympics Santa Barbara basketball teams preparing to compete in the Summer Games on June 12th & 13th at Cal State Long Beach.
3 on 3 teams will be competing for 1, 2nd, 3rd place prizes in each age group in 2 divisions. In addition to the double elimination tournament, there will be a free-throw shooting contest starting at 10:30am sponsored by Rabobank. Prizes will be awarded to the top three contestants with the highest number of consecutive shots made.
The public will get a chance to support Special Olympics athletes as they compete in their own division and in the athlete free throw event. Athletes have been collecting sponsors, as part of their own fundraising efforts.
3 on 3 Tournament teams can still form by contacting Ashley Haug, Sports Manager at [email protected]. Cost to register is $25 per person, $20 per student, or $100 per team of 5.
The event is sponsored by Rabobank, PresidioSports.com, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and CODE, Commission on Disability Equality at UCSB.
Basketball is one of the most popular team sports offered by Special Olympics, serving 30 teen and adult players with intellectual disabilities. Teams practice Sunday mornings and afternoons at Carrillo Gym and compete in tournaments in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Long Beach. Thirteen volunteer coaches make the program possible, each giving two hours of their time a week from February to June. Veteran coaches include, Henry Gonzales, Michel Charest, Stephanie Morris, Adrienne Gembala and Aaron Brown.
Special Olympics serves 325 children, teens and adults in South Santa Barbara County and empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to become productive and respected members of our community through sports training and competition. For information about the 3 on 3 tournament fundraiser or to volunteer contact Special Olympics at 805-884-1516.
