Phoenix, Ariz. – Developed by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., and supported by the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association, “AdmiHER” launched today with a mission to support the growth of girls' basketball through mentorship, access and health & wellness programming.
The name “AdmiHER” shows the admiration the two entities have for the girls and women in the sport, who against the odds continue to play, coach, and mentor in an effort to learn, grow and better themselves and their communities.
Starting tomorrow, June 18, the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association will host Section 7 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, the first event that will serve as a fundraising vessel for the newly launched AdmiHER initiative.
“In recent years, Arizona has seen a sharp decline in participation for girls high school basketball,” said Matt King, President of the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association. “Some of our largest high schools are having difficulty fielding teams at the varsity, junior varsity and freshman level. We’re setting out to change that, as we know the value sport participation can bring to young athletes in terms of confidence, self-discipline, relationship building, opportunities for higher education and more.”
Section 7 will feature a 16-team “AdmiHER” bracket showcasing local Arizona varsity talent. The overall event will feature over 190 teams, with funds generated used to support the program in Arizona communities. To make a donation, text SECTION7AZ to 243725.
In the coming months, three Basketball Hall of Fame events in Arizona will raise funds for the AdmiHER campaign – the Jerry Colangelo Golf Classic held at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, the Jerry Colangelo Classic collegiate basketball quadruple-header at Phoenix Suns Arena, and Hoophall West high school basketball showcase in Scottsdale. To learn more, visit https://www.hoophall.com/events/.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.
About the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association
Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association (ABCA) is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to develop, connect and serve every coach throughout the state of Arizona. Within its 1,100 members, the ABCA serves youth, high school and club coaches in both the men’s and women’s game. The Association also operates multiple events throughout the year, including an annual Youth Development Academy where over 2,500 players from 3rd-8th grade participate in three separate regions, as well as the Section 7 Summer Team Camp which brings together almost 200 high school teams from 12 different states to compete in front of over 350 Division I coaches. For more information on the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association, please visit www.azbasketballcoaches.com or follow @azbballcoaches on Twitter or Instagram.