Basketball Dreams Bounce High

The MU Sports Management Club had its first ever three-on-three basketball tournament called Mizz Madness, on Sunday, Nov. 1 in Anderson Sports and Health Center. Teams included The Cougars, Dream Hoops, Hoop Dreams, Welcome to the Thunderdome and others.

Dr. Sungick Mihn, associate professor of business, had his sports facilities and events class, all freshmen, organize and run this tournament. For weeks the students sat in Banks Student Life Center before dinner collecting money and organizing teams. The students, who also refereed and served as score keepers and hosts, raised over $1,000 for the Sports Management Club.

Students in the group watched as 10 teams, including two women’s-only teams, competed for the top spot in the championship. President Michael A. MacDowell, Father Don Williams and other MU faculty and staff members watched the intense competition.

As the first round of games came and went, attendees took part in raffles and half-court shots. Prizes such as a dinner for two, $100 and a signed Shelley Duncan picture were given away.

As the event wore on, teams were eliminated and others moved on, but in the end of a double elimination tournament only two teams faced off.

Dream Hoops and Hoop Dreams, equally matched in both name and talent, competed in the finals. In the end Dream Hoops, which featured Josh Victor, Brad Garren, Ronnie Young and Steve Merth, took the crown and prizes.

Evan Ryan, event coordinator, said the event was a success and he is looking forward to another tournament. “The teams and players all played hard and I am happy they all showed up to play and play hard, even on a Sunday at 10 am.”

Nate Bowdon, a staff person who worked the event, said he hopes the event grows in popularity. “The event went really well and I hope that next semester we can do it again so a lot of more kids can play and a lot of more competition can come participate.”

Staff worker Matt Gonzalez said the tournament also showed organizers are able to win—big. “This tournament was really a good experience not only for my class but it is also good for us to know how to hold and coordinate events and know that people can work together to make one goal possible,” said Gonzalez.

“I really liked playing in this tournament and I really do hope that next semester Dr. Mihn’s class can have another tournament because I know I will try my hardest to win it all,” freshmen Greg Zamalkany added.