Hoopsville: We need your help

Hoopsville LogoTo be honest, this is hard for me to do. I am not great at asking for help, but enough people have come to me wondering why I don’t do just that. And here we are: Hoopsville Fundraising Campaign.

Hoopsville is a passion of mine. It started off as simply a “why not?” and turned into so much more. I have those at D3hoops.com, coaches, administrators, fans, and of course the viewers (both die-hard and occasional) to thank for that. I never imagined back in November 2000 that in January 2014 the show would be such a part of my life and a part of the Division III landscape. I am still humbled by coaches and others who say how important the show (along with D3hoops.com and D3sports.com as a network) is to basketball and Division III. I am humbled when the Vice President for Division III at the NCAA always takes the time to respond to my questions and eagerly agrees to sit-down for an interview (we have now done several “State of Division III” interviews over the years). But more importantly, I am humbled by the support I received from so many people including my wife and children who know Daddy has to be in his office and work on his show and eagerly watch the show from just ten feet above my head.

So it is hard to say I need help.

Hoopsville deserves to be so much better and the viewers who watch the show deserve my best effort. I have huge plans, but have no ability to make those plans happen without help. We would love to take the show on the road more often during the season to places we have never traveled and to places and events that deserve to have a spotlight shined on them. There are computer, technology, and equipment upgrades we must do to keep Hoopsville not only progressing forward, but on the air. And if we want to travel, there are expenses in doubling-up our equipment and gear and with traveling in general.

Over the years we have gotten generous contributions from D3hoops.com and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that are more than financial. We have stretched these contributions as far as we could even bank some to keep in reserve if needed. Both entities continue to support the show and we are more than humbled by their generosity of whatever kind. But the time has come to see if those who say people want to help the show are actually right.

We have started a crowdfunding effort for the show. We have a lofty goal I think can be reached, but it is not an all-or-nothing campaign. We plan to use the money along with other contributions to buy a new production computer, replace aging equipment, upgrade technological needs, look for a better streaming partner for the viewers, have the ability to travel on occasion with the show (outside of the final fours and championships), and improve the overall experience of Hoopsville. Not all of these changes will take place by the end of the season, but we can implement many of them. It will depend on whether we meet our goal or even exceed it (nothing wrong with that).

Hoopsville is a regular sight in Salem.

Hoopsville is a regular sight in Salem.

There are perks for those of you who contribute. They include:
– Contribute at least $10 and we will recognize you on our special contributors’ page on our website (www.d3hoopsville.com).
– Contribute at least $25 and we will recognize you on our contributors’ page and publicly thank you on a future Hoopsville show.
– The first 15 to contribute at least $50: we will recognize you on our contributors’ page, publicly thank you on a future show, and send you a Hoopsville t-shirt by the end of the basketball season.
– The first 15 to contribute at least $100: we will recognize you on our contributors’ page, publicly thank you on a future show, send you a Hoopsville t-shirt, and I will wear your school’s shirt on the show while also interviewing the men’s or women’s coach of your choosing.
– The first 10 to contribute at least $250: we will recognize you on our contributors’ page, publicly thank you on a future show, send you a Hoopsville t-shirt, I will wear your school’s shirt on the show while also interviewing the men’s or women’s coach of your choosing, and give you the chance to appear on Hoopsville to talk about your team and why you love Division III basketball.

hoopsvillephoto2012The campaign runs through Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, but this isn’t just something we will talk about. Coming up on Thursday, Jan. 30 we will do a super-sized show — 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET — to celebrate Division III basketball. It will be the perfect way to gear up for the last month of the regular season and start looking ahead to the NCAA tournaments. We will have guests on from around the country and schools we may not normally talk with. We will hear from those who care passionately about Division III basketball and those who may have moved up in their careers, but have strong roots in Division III. It is a daunting show to pull off, but because we are asking something from you it is only fitting we give you something like this show in return.

So pass on this fundraising effort and let us know how much this show means to you. We certainly understand if you cannot contribute financially, but if you are able to spread the word to others that could be just as rewarding. If you have something you think you can donate to the show (there are many ideas and ways), then let us know as well.

And as we kick off this four-week campaign I want to make sure I say thank you. Just the support this show as received from the NCAA offices to conference offices to head coach and athletics offices to the fans and viewers who tune in has gotten us – and me – to this point. We have been on the air since 2000 and for 11 seasons (unofficially) and with your help I suspect we will be on the air for a long time to come.

For more on the fundraising campaign, click here: http://igg.me/at/Hoopsville/x/6029509.

Sincerely,
Dave McHugh
Creator and Host, Hoopsville

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