New fundraiser for WHA Basketball players

The future of the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Basketball program looks very strong, thanks to many recent positive changes and events.

This is in large part to the addition of several opportunities for players and coaches outside of the regular season. WHA basketball had 167 players participate in the program this year — K-12 has been growing quickly.

New ideas and a focus on the future have proven to create positive changes through the schools coaches and recently formed (2022) basketball booster club. This collaborative effort allows the booster club to “boost” both the girls and boys programs.

The boys and girls teams are challenged with raising funds to support their ongoing activities. They will be reaching out to the community for support with opportunities to “sponsor a player” and will be looking to do that for each of the 167 players in the program. The sponsorship amount for players is $50 with contributors receiving game vouchers (2) and Wolves gear based on the number of players sponsored.

If a contributor is interested is sponsoring a team or five players ($250), they will have an opportunity to play in a golf tournament May 19 at Tianna Country Club (only 18 available).

Your contribution helps

The 2024-25 season begins with the “kick-off” event in early December where players from all levels sneak into the gym prior to the start of the season and are led through drills and skills by veteran players. This event has drawn more 100 players each of the past two seasons and sets a tone for the successful programs.

Contributions earned through concessions and hosting youth tournaments in town allow our youth teams to attend additional youth tournaments, bring in top level skills camps, compensate volunteer coaches and providing opportunities to develop skills by finding times to be in the gym working on skills.

The two youth tournaments bring in an estimated 25-30 teams plus fans. A conservative estimate of total people brought to WHA for these two days is 700!

The youth (K-5) have also had opportunities to become part of the programs by participating in our autograph night where the young players are able to interact with players with direct meet and greet scenarios and by becoming part of the player introductions at the varsity level. They also have been able to show off their newly learned skills during half time of varsity and junior varsity games.

The older players received appropriate snacks and food for all road games along with water and other nutritious items. Boosters have also been able to provide team building opportunities by sending varsity teams to watch college games in Bemidji and Duluth to enjoy time together and create that needed team culture.

This year the Booster Club also had the privilege to support the girls as they traveled to the State Tournament for the first time in WHA history. Boosters were able to provide help with meals, travel and even a banquet honoring the schools and players that competed at the tournament.

“We look forward to your continued support as a community and hope you are prepared for the pressure the basketball players will be putting on you for the sponsorships.”