The second annual Hoopla Challenge, set for 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Chaminade-Julienne High School, is aimed at families with young children. Boys and girls in grades 2-8 can participate in a basketball shooting challenge, with one boy and one girl from each grade winning an iPad, according to Mike Lehner, assistant director of development at C-J.
Because the event is indoors in C-J’s gym at 505 S. Ludlow St., the event will be limited to the first 400 kids registered. Preregistration is available at daytonhoopla.com.
Matt Farrell, one of the leaders of the LOC, said kids can also win tickets to NCAA First Four tournament games at the event, as well as iTunes gift cards.
Lehner said kids will get free pizza thanks to a donation from Marion’s Piazza, will win T-shirts for making shots, and can watch Sunday’s conference championship games and the NCAA tournament selection show on TVs in the C-J gym and cafeteria.
Running race
The First 4 – 4 miler will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday at UD Arena, 1801 S. Edwin C Moses Blvd. Preregistration is available at www.keysports.net until noon Friday, and race-day registration will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday. Either costs $25.
Runners and walkers will check in at UD Arena, and will race across the Stewart Street bridge, down Patterson Boulevard past Carillon Park and back to the Arena, with awards for the top three in each age group. After the race, there will be food and a St. Patrick’s Day-themed party in the Arena parking lot, according to Key Sports President Anthony Trimble.
Local chairman
The University of Dayton announced plans to extend the term of Local Organizing Committee chairman J.P. Nauseef, who is in his second year at the helm of the volunteer group.
UD President Daniel J. Curran cited Nauseef’s “passion, enthusiasm and can-do attitude” in announcing the move. Nauseef deflected credit, saying the LOC is a group effort that relies on a broad range of dedicated volunteers.
After this year’s NCAA tournament is finished, the local organizing committee will talk to the NCAA about the possibility of reviving an event like Dayton’s 2012 Selection Sunday festival, for 2014 and beyond.
NCAA games
UD Arena will host 10 games of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament next week. It starts with the First Four – two games each next Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. There will be a full day of four second-round games on Friday, March 22, and two third-round games Sunday, March 24.
Teams and matchups will be announced on CBS at 6 p.m. Sunday.
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