Freshman Forum, in conjunction with the University Activities Council and the Student Government Association, will hold the first Hoopcoming.
Hoopcoming, a spring semester take on the traditional Homecoming, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m., during the men’s basketball game against the University of South Alabama in Trojan Arena.
Tremain Crutcher, a freshman global business major from Huntsville and a member of the Freshman Forum traditions committee, said the inception for the event was a combination of multiple ideas and past experiences.
“I tried Hoopcoming at my high school, and Sam Moody had a similar plan, so Hoopcoming here at Troy will be a combination of these ideas with the overwhelming support from many organizations,” said Crutcher.
Several raffle prizes at the game will include a $150 gift card to Barnes and Noble, a bike and a possible chance to win an Apple TV.
The men’s basketball game will be televised. The event is a way to get the students and community involved and excited about school events and athletic programs, according to Sam Moody, a freshman risk insurance major from Montgomery, vice president of Freshman Forum, and co-creator of Hoopcoming.
Moody said he hopes that this event promotes campus and community involvement.
“The same energy displayed for Homecoming is desired for the event to create a maximum amount of support for the game while also motivating others to raise finances for our community,” Moody said.
Campus organizations were asked to submit a male candidate for the Hoopcoming All-Star competition. These men will compete for a local charity of their choice by participating in the doughnut-eating contest during halftime.
The winner of the doughnut-eating contest will receive a gift card to Trojan Donuts.
Throughout the week, a table was set up in Trojan Center for students to “vote” for their favorite candidate by placing money in the candidate’s jar.
The nominee who received the most funds will be considered the “All-Star” and donate all of the funds raised, including those raised by other participants, to the local charity of their choice.
“It is important for students to donate because 100 percent of the funds go back to the community,” said Moody.
Zack Himes, a freshman undeclared major from Ariton and a member of the Freshman Forum traditions committee, said that he sought to create Hoopcoming as a tradition for years to come.
“I hope that a new tradition is created through Hoopcoming at Troy similar to homecoming festivities,“ Himes said. “This event gives Troy students an event to look forward to in the spring, supports rivalry against South Alabama and raises money for an excellent cause.”
Destiny Hollis, a freshman risk management insurance major from Gulf Shores and head of the publicity committee for Freshman Forum, said that she desired complete campus involvement for the event.
“Hoopcoming is a very big task and finally seeing it all come together and getting the campus involved and organizations excited about the event is the biggest reward,” Hollis said.
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