Ncaa Sanction Opens Hoopfest ‘95 To Collegians Current Players Cleared For Open Division, But Can’t Play As Team Or Collect Prizes

Chalk up a first for Hoopfest. The three-on-three basketball tournament on the streets of Spokane is open for the first time to current collegiate players.

The June 24-25 event has been sanctioned by the NCAA, Hoopfest executive director Rick Steltenpohl said Thursday.

College players, including those at the Division I level, may enter. But they cannot play as a team and won’t be eligible for prizes.

Only one player from Washington State, for example, could compete on a given team.

Chris Schoemann, NCAA legislative assistant, said players from NCAA schools cannot accept prizes with “any cash value.”

Among the incentives for winning this year’s Action Sportswear open division is the entry fee to the Seattle street tournament, plus round-trip air fare from Spokane.

Men and women who play at NCAA schools can’t accept that prize.

Steltenpohl said he hopes the competitiveness of the event is attractive to collegiate players.

“I thought the open divisions were more competitive than ever last year,” he said. “This could make them even better.”

In other developments, the rims and backboards from the Spokane Coliseum will be used in the tournament at a court yet to be determined, Steltenpohl said.

To assure a place in Hoopfest, enter by May 7. Entry forms posted through May 28 will be accepted until the tournament reaches capacity.

Entry forms are available at the Hoopfest offices at the Seafirst Financial Center.

Organizers hope to attract more than the 3,067 teams that played a year ago. The event is expected to include as many as 225 courts cover 30 blocks.