BENTON – On December 9th, one week after the dust had settled on what has become the premier high school basketball classic in the nation, local officials gathered to honor just some of the many people and organizations that make this basketball classic known as Hoopfest such a huge success.
Marshall County Judge/Executive Kevin Neal and County Commissioner Dr. Rick Cocke, presented Marshall County Ambassador awards to the group and thanked them for their efforts that shine such a positive light on Marshall County.
Neal and Cocke spoke of the importance of a strong and supportive school administration and thanked Marshall County School Superintendent Trent Lovett. They thanked CFSB President and CEO Betsy Flynn and her team for not only their sponsorship with Hoopfest but also being a good neighbor year round in many endeavors in the community.
They told the large crowd in attendance, that this event takes the efforts of many people and thanked special events coordinator Dan Hudson, Marshall County Athletic Director Jeff Stokes and Administrative Assistant Vicki English, characterizing them as people that drive the bus.
They were already working on Hoopfest 2017 two to three weeks before this year’s event even started. “It’s a 365 days a year and more effort”, Hudson and Stokes told the crowd as they spoke of the efforts of so many in this community that are responsible for the success of this event.
Neal and Cocke along with Flynn and Lovett concluded the program by confirming that they can’t wait for the 22nd edition of Hoopfest to arrive, so again this community can team up to help Hudson, Stokes and English make Hoopfest 2017 even bigger and better. Hoopfest 2017 will take place November 30th, December 1st and 2nd next year.
This year’s event had an estimated $1.7 million impact on Marshall County.