By Grace Long, Staff Writer
Newman University will host the Air Capital Hoopfest Friday and Saturday in Fugate Gymnasium. The prestigious basketball showcase will feature some of the top high school basketball talent in the country. Four high school basketball programs that all feature four- and five-star recruits will compete: Sunrise Christian Academy out of Wichita; Link Academy from Branson, Missouri; AZ Compass Prep from Chandler, Arizona; and Veritas Academy out of Bellaire, Texas.
Zach Brake, assistant athletic director for marketing and communications, is Newman’s point person for the event. He said that Newman was able to get the opportunity to host the showcase by working closely with Sunrise Christian Academy, Visit Wichita, and the Wichita Sports Commission throughout the years.
“Events like these are a great way to showcase Newman and allow opportunities for athletes to compete in an NCAA Division II venue,” Brake said.
Brake said he hopes that there will be many more opportunities for Newman Athletics to host events like this.
“Athletics strives to be involved in the community,” he said. “Events like these are the gateway to future opportunities to support local and national sport entities that want to call Wichita home for their events.”
Teams will have a shootaround practice the day of their game. The games will take place at 6pm (Link Academy vs. AZ Compass Prep) and 8 p.m. (Sunrise Christian Academy vs. Veritas Academy) on Friday and at 3 p.m. (AZ Compass Prep vs. Veritas Academy) and 5 p.m. (Sunrise Christian Academy vs. Link Academy) on Saturday. Newman University will provide access to the facility, concessions and gameday staffing for the tournament.
Brake said that the traffic and influx of visitors should not hinder daily university operations. Students will be able to access any facilities that they would normally.
Brake encouraged Newman students as well as any fans interested to attend the tournament. He said he expects more than 500 people in attendance per game. Tickets are available at buy.stripe.com/28obLVdy2eLw7Li3cf and are $12 for adults, $8 for students/youth. A two-day ticket is $20 for adults, $15 for students/youth.
“If you are in town, buy your tickets and enjoy some great matchups,” Brake said.
PHOTO: Dannicka McGrath, Photographer
