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By: Lyndsey
Kees
Pasadena ISD Staff
For the past five years, the
McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament
has taken over the city of Pasadena during the third
week in November—and this year proves to be no
different.
With 80
teams competing for the championship prizes, it is
certain this year’s tournament will provide endless
excitement and entertainment for all involved. In
order to ensure the success of the event, community
involvement and sponsors are essential. Good
sponsors for a good cause, is definitely a phrase
that could not be emphasized more.
“All profits derived from this
tournament are donated annually to the Pasadena ISD
Education Foundation, which provides grants to
deserving teachers and students for a myriad of
projects they work on each year,” said tournament
chairman Ben Meador. “These programs typically
require funding that is not available from normal
budgetary sources.”
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One example of a project made
possible by foundation funds is Pasadena Memorial
High School’s “Switched-On Physics: Engineering Wave
Phenomena,” which is an on-going project that has
allowed AP physics students to design and build a
fully functional digital pipe organ. Project
coordinator Scott Graham said if it weren’t for the
increase in tournament sponsors each year, the
foundation would not be able to increase the number
of grants given each year and the implementation of
his project would not be possible.
“Businesses
should realize that any contribution to the
tournament, no matter how small, allows our students
to learn in extraordinary ways and provides them
with experiences they would not otherwise have
because our budgets don’t allow for it,” Graham
said. “I have been fortunate to see just how much
good these projects and grants do for our students.
We are truly grateful to the foundation and all of
our sponsors, and we are forever in their debt in so
many ways.”
The
tournament has generated more revenue with each
passing year. In 2003, $10,000 was an impressive
first year collection. For the 2007 tournament, the
goal of $100,000 was set and achieved. This year,
the bar will be raised and expectations for the
tournament are greater than ever.
“We have
been very blessed to have the support of so many
generous people who have assisted in achieving these
goals. We will continue to have high expectations,
but we have not yet established a goal for this
year. We think we will definitely meet and exceed
what was done in 2007,” Meador said. “We have great
momentum and we anticipate the number of sponsors
this year may increase dramatically.”
The Texas
Invitational has grown to be one of the nation’s
premier high school events. With over 80 teams and
30,000 spectators viewing 200 games, it is a feast
for any basketball fan. The tournament is host to
many of Texas’ finest high school basketball talent.
“Sixty-five percent of the
teams playing in this tournament were in the state
playoffs this past year. The defending state 5A boys
and girls champions were here last year and will be
returning,” Meador said. “A number of our teams were
nationally ranked last year. We expect continued
growth and we already are talking about adding 16
more girls’ teams, bringing our total to 96 teams.”
Not only is
the tournament beneficial for the school district,
but it also provides the city with increased
activity and economic growth.
“This
tournament brings considerable revenue into our city
over the three day period and as we expand that
revenue increases for our area businesses,” said
Meador.
Community
involvement and volunteers go hand-in-hand with the
tournament. Without the help of so many dedicated
individuals, Meador said the success of the
tournament would not be possible.
“We have 50 community leaders
who work on our steering committee year round. Over
400 volunteers are involved working with the
tournament in some way,” said Meador. “This
tournament has a lot to offer our sponsors in
advertising possibilities and there is a sponsor
level that fits the budget of every business.”
Becoming a
sponsor for the tournament offers a great
opportunity for corporate sponsors and businesses to
support the tournament and school district by
participating in one of five levels.
For the first time, the
Pasadena Lions Club is a Gold sponsor for the
tournament. The Lions have a strong commitment
supporting Pasadena ISD by providing eyeglasses to
children in the district who cannot afford them.
Meeting the vision needs of local children is the
top priority of Lions Clubs around the world, and
for many years the Pasadena Lions Club has helped
hundreds of needy Pasadena ISD children.
“Our club has an annual ‘Walk
For Sight’ to raise money for eyeglasses. Elementary
and fifth and sixth grade students participate and
raise money for this event. The event has been very
successful due to the efforts of the Pasadena ISD
physical education teachers and students, and
contributing back in this way is our pleasure,” said
Joey Bowers, president of the Pasadena Lions Club.
“We are motivated to sponsor
because money generated from the basketball
tournament is used to help the teachers and students
districtwide,” Bowers said. “The district is made up
of many wonderful, caring people, and our club
understands the importance of helping them succeed.”
The
McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament
is a prime opportunity for businesses to contribute
to a worthwhile cause. Combining superior Texas
athletics along with the help and support of the
community is what has made this tournament one of
the state’s leading high school sports events.
“People like to support our
schools, and there is no better investment than to
invest in the education of our youth,” Meador said.
To become a tournament sponsor,
please contact Rita Townsend, tournament Executive
Assistant, at 713-986-0527. For more information on
the tournament, visit www.texasinvitational.com.
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