The Gold Standard

As we continue to prepare for BAM Jam 2009, the staff took our traditional trip to Spokane, Washington this past weekend for Hoopfest.

Hoopfest once again did something that they have been doing over the last several years, breaking their own attendance record. This year, according to their event guide, Hoopfest had 6,700 participating teams, breaking last year's record and continuing to prove what community support for a great event can do.

With nearly 600 courts on 40 square blocks, Spokane proved that it is the current home court for 3 on 3 basketball.

There were a few things that stood out that are worth noting:

1. The Nike Center Court was again the spot to be for not only great hoops but also great entertainment. In addition to the games there were dance performances from the Sea Gals (the Seahawks dance team) and men's and women's dunk competitions. The crowds seemed bigger this year than last year.
2. Their staff continues to incredibly welcoming to our staff. Kathlene Sulivan (in charge of their registration, check in, player changes, etc.) may be one of the coolest people we've met. And Lori and Chad Smith were awesome with the Court Monitor trainings.
3. The food and booths continue to get better and better. In addition to all the food options, participants also got a chance to get autographs from current Gonzaga players.
4. The Court Monitors and Court Marshalls continue to be some of the nicest and hardest working volunteers around. They give their weekend and stand in the heat so that the tournament can go on and be successful. You really have to respect that.

So, as we return back to Boise to finish planing for this year's BAM Jam, we do so energized by what we just saw and with a goal of where we someday could be.

Alive After Five

Wednesday night on the Grove in Boise was great. The weather was beautiful and it was fun to get to meet so many of you and give away some prizes.

All in all, Alive After Five is one of the neat downtown Boise events. With live bands, food & drink and a fountain to accompany the hot weather, it provides a nice escape for downtown employees and fun for families from all over the Treasure Valley. The DBA has done a fantastic job with this event!

We are excited to announce that we will be back downtown on July 15, thanks to the Idaho Business Review. If you didn't get a chance to come down last night, we would love to meet you in July. And if you did come by and say hello, you are more than welcome to come back to the booth, shoot some hoops and win some more prizes!

New BAM Jam promo video

Thanks KBCI!

BAM JAM 3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCES BENEFICIARIES

The BAM Jam 3 on 3 Basketball tournament (www.bamjamboise.com) is pleased to announce that the proceeds from this year's event will be donated to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County, the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence and Idaho Select Basketball. All three of the beneficiaries are non-profit organizations that are headquartered in the Treasure Valley.

In 2008, BAM Jam was able to donate over $2,000 to non-profit organizations. This year, the tournament will be held in downtown Boise on August 7-8. For more information about BAM Jam, please visit www.bamjamboise.com.

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About the Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America comprises a national network of nearly 4,000 neighborhood- based facilities annually serving some 3.8 million youth, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” Clubs provide guidance-oriented programs on a daily basis for children 6 – 18 years old, conducted by full-time, professional staff. Key programs emphasize character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness, and recreation.

About the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence is a statewide nonprofit dual coalition that advocates on behalf of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Incorporated in 1980, the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence has grown to become a statewide membership network advocating for the safety and rights of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Idaho Coalition oversees two teen dating violence projects – Idaho Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Project and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Start Strong Idaho: Building Healthy Teen Relationships Initiative. For more information go to www.nomeansknow.com or www.idvsa.org.

About Idaho Select Basketball
The Idaho Select exists to provide opportunities to student-athletes that live in the state of Idaho. Through team building and leadership development, our participants enhance their overall character that increases their likelihood of receiving earned financial assistance for college. Through the program's various projects and events we are able to reach student-athletes from a wide range of ages and locations. The program uses the sport of basketball as a unifying vehicle to bring together these participants.

A few YouTube videos from BAM Jam 2008

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a couple questions that we get asked.

Question: What time do the games start on Friday (August 7)?
Answer: The first games for most brackets will start at 5:00 PM on Friday.
Question: How old or young can you be to play in BAM Jam?
Answer: This year there are brackets for players as young as 3rd grade. There is no maximum age limit for adults and there is now a 40 and older bracket for men.
Question: Do you have a Twitter account?
Answer: We do! If you would like to follow, click on twitter.com/IDAHOSELECT.

A BAM Jam warm up

If you are looking for chance to keep your game sharp prior to the start of BAM Jam, the Meridian YMCA has extended the registration deadline for their men's summer league to this Friday, June 5.

The league is for guys that are 18 years or older. There are six games, the league is $400 per team and the games are played at the Meridian facility. There is a recreational and competitive division. Games will be played in June and July and there is an optional end of league tournament.

For more details, contact Therese Woozley at (208) 855-5711 or email to Therese.Woozley@ymcatvidaho.org.