It’s been another successful year thus far for the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. Please enjoy a visit to our website at www.wisbca.org to see all the special events we host. The result of many of these events are highlighted in the following paragraphs. Please feel free to inquire about any of our happenings by contacting me at kjbarrett@viterbo.edu .
Wisconsin All-Star Games
Our All-State Games for graduated seniors continues to be our most successful event each summer. Our goal of making it a top-notched, first class event for our participants and their families was again accomplished. Players fund raising efforts recorded another record setting event for us. Our profit of over two hundred thousand dollars allow us to make a record donation ($175,000) to the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer Fund. It was special because the MACC Fund Executive Director, John Carey, a special friend and member of our Hall of Fame, accepted the check as one of his final responsibilities prior to his retirement.
Jerry Petitgoue WBCA Summer Invitational Basketball Tournament
Our WBCA sponsored summer invitational tournament saw 48 boy’s teams and 32 girl’s teams participate in the event. Pool play allowed all teams to play a minimum of 4 games over the weekend event. After expensed the profit from the event was over $15,000.
2018 Showcase Camp for high schooler’s with thoughts of College
Our Showcase event proved to be both beneficial for our organization as well as the participants. Former UW-Wisconsin Coach Dick Bennett spoke to our group on what they need to do to be a college player. He enlightened them on what he watched when he went to see high school player that might want to play college basketball. Kate Peterson Abiad, former Division 1 coach and present basketball contact at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, spoke to our group on the rules and regulations for our state. Basketball skills stations provide college coaches in attendance with the opportunity to see players in a practice setting. Naturally, there were game situations to observe as well. Approximately 100 boys and 80 girls attended the event. After expense we profited a bit more the $2000.
2018 Fall Clinic for Member Coaches
Approximately 1000 of our state high school coaches attended our fall clinic, October 4th and 5th of this year. Scheduled speaker, Bob Knight, was unable to attend because of health issues. A big thanks to former UW-Madison Coach Bo Ryan for stepping in and filling the void. A great coach replaced a great coach. Please check out the speaker list on our webpage. To avoid missing someone, It is best to say all did a great job and we extend a big thank you to all. Expenses for that event included 171 pizzas, unlimited soda and chips and salsa, unlimited root beer and of course, unlimited other types of beverages. Total expense was ten thousand dollars. It was both a great time to learn about our game and share the stories of success and concerns with our peers. Our total profit for the event was over $67,000.
2018 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet
September 29th, 2018 was the date that 30 basketball icons were inducted into our Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. A great meal with coaching awards preceded the induction ceremony. We were proud to have North Carolina Executive Director, Greg Grantham and is wife, attend as special guests. 140 complimentary tickets were handed out to honored guests, inductees and Hall of Fame members in attendance. We take special pride in having our Hall members come forward and introduce themselves to the over 800 people in attendance. This year 42 present members attended. Coaches of the year were honored. State Championship winning coaches received their championship rings. Ten High coach coaches, 2 assistant coaches, 3 referees, 2 Friends of the game, 10 boy’s players and 5 girl’s players were inducted into the hall. Our first ever husband and wife team as players were inducted when former UW-Madison point guard (Milwaukee Pius HS) Mike Kelley and his wife Kelly (Auger)Kelley (Milwaukee Pius HS) were inducted. Included in the player selection was Terry Porter, (Milwaukee South HS) longtime basketball player and coach. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL INDUCTEES ----
Finally ---Not every event in Wisconsin turns in a profit --- Hall of Fame event cost us about $30,000. Money well spent ---- honoring Coaches should always be the goal of all of our state associations.
