What is the McDonald's Texas Invitational?

Texas high school basketball at its finest is what the McDonald's Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament has come to share with more than 30,000 fans. In its seventh year, the tournament is known as "A Monumental Event," but not just for the talent seen in its 48-boys' teams and 32-girls' teams from across the states of Texas and Louisiana. It has also become monumental for the students and educators of the Pasadena Independent School District (PISD).

As the primary annual fundraiser for the PISD Education Foundation, the proceeds of the tournament grow every year, allowing the Foundation to reach its goals of helping teachers provide innovative instruction district wide. Because of the tournament's annual success, the Foundation has been able to distribute over $100,000 in mini-grants to teachers district wide for the last few years through its biannual Dream Makers event. Over the last five years, the tournament has donated $385,000 to the Foundation.

While the education of children is at the heart of the tournament, other goals remain in focus. The tournament has also become an event that showcases the city of Pasadena and draws in economic growth during the third week of November. Bringing in more than 20 local sponsors along with hundreds of community volunteers every year, the McDonald's Texas Invitational has displayed the true heart of Pasadena and its citizens.



About the Founder



The McDonald's Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament is the brainchild of Ben Meador, a 1957 Pasadena High School graduate and owner and president of Meador Staffing Services in Pasadena. In 2001, Mr. Meador, the City of Pasadena, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and other community leaders created this tournament to market PISD and the city in hopes to eventually become the Foundation's primary fundraiser. McDonald's signed on as the headline sponsor in 2005.

"We wanted to establish a world-class basketball tournament, and I believe we have," Meador said. "In a few short years, this tournament has grown in stature to become one of the premier invitational basketball tournaments in Texas and is gaining a national reputation for excellence—not just because of the quality of basketball played, but because of the support and enthusiasm of hundreds of community volunteers and sponsors who have made this event special for everyone involved."