GOALS
The goals of the Kentucky Hoops Stars program includes:
- Student athletes will participate in organized, well supervised instructional team play April through July of each year.
- Student athletes will be provided opportunities for skill enhancement, sportsmanship development and team development through travel and participation in numerous tournaments
- Student athletes will have the opportunities to be part of a team comprised of Kentucky’s top players and compete again their peers across the nations
- Student athletes will have the opportunity to be observed by college coaches through game participation and web-site video clips.
OVERVIEW:
The Kentucky Hoops Stars provides opportunities for student athletes in grades six through eleven to participate in a traveling basketball team during the spring and summer each year. For over twenty years, selected student athletes have received excellent skill instruction, sportsmanship development and learned the importance of team work from high school coaches committed to providing the athletes an opportunity to have a college education through basketball.
The student athletes are carefully selected based on their athleticism, academic achievements and community involvement. Each student athlete is expected to perform at least three service projects in their community and share these experiences with their teammates. Their selection, from all regions of Kentucky, identifies them as some of the state’s best student athletes and they represent all Kentucky athletes through their participation in prestigious tournaments across the nation. During the summer of 2006, teams will travel to Houston, TX, Hampton, VA, Little Rock, AK, Augusta, GA, St. Louis, MO, Louisville, KY and Nashville, TN
For many student athletes, this travel opportunity provided is unique in that many have rarely or never stayed at a hotel, managed their daily finances and time, meet people from other parts of Kentucky or from other states, or been away from home. As the players travel, coaches focus not only on the development of athletic skills but also teach the athletes about conduct on and off the court, proper etiquette, respect for others and that they represent their family, school, community and state. The coaches – either current or retired high school coaches – are committed to the development of well-rounded athletes with skills that will serve them in life as well as on the basketball court. While participation with the Kentucky Hoop Stars is a rewarding experience for the athletes, additional benefits are the development of skills that will eventually carry over to the workplace and life. They include the ability to develop self-discipline, mental toughness, overcoming adversity, working in a team concept and accepting responsibilities for their behaviors and attitudes.
The Kentucky Hoops Stars unique experience has opened the college door for many athletes with some taking their skills into the National Basketball Association. Previous Hoop Stars include Rex Chapman, Reggie Hanson, Travis Ford, Patrick Sparks, Ritchie Farmer, Michael Bush, Scott Padgett, Ty Rogers, Felton Spencer and many, many more. To date, over 900 student athletes have benefited from this unique opportunity. By participation in the prestigious, nationally recognized basketball tournaments, the student athlete is spotlighted for evaluation by college coaches. Being a part of a high profile team enhances the athlete’s chances of being offered a college scholarship and a chance for a college education. In addition to the live participation, Kentucky Hoops Stars are video-taped during their games and video clips are available via the Internet for college coaches to view and further evaluate. The website provides additional information such as grades, community involvement and game statistics.
The Kentucky Hoops Stars has and will continue to offer Kentucky basketball players an opportunity for personal growth and development with the potential for a college education.
