History and General Information
Bookstore Basketball is the world's largest 5-on-5 outdoor basketball tournament. Anyone in the Notre Dame, Saint Mary's, and Holy Cross community is able to participate, including students, staff, and faculty. The tournament began in 1972, and has been held every year since. In its current formation, teams may opt to participate in either the Open Tournament or in a separate Women's Bracket. Games are played to 21 points, and players referee their own games until the Round of 64, when referees are provided. In 2009, 694 teams participated in the tournament. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Jumpball charity foundation.
Jumpball
The mission of Jumpball is "To provide the children of Jamaica the opportunity to learn self esteem, teamwork, dedication, sportsmanship, camaraderie, and the fundamentals of basketball". There is a 4-day basketball clinic held every year, in which approximately 200 children from inner-city Kingston participate. The goal of the program is to keep the children away from drugs and violence.
http://www.ndjumpball.com/aboutus.html (Note: Link may no longer be functional. See link below for alternate Jumpball description)
http://www.nd.edu/~bkstr/jumpball.htm
http://www.ndjumpball.com/aboutus.html (Note: Link may no longer be functional. See link below for alternate Jumpball description)
http://www.nd.edu/~bkstr/jumpball.htm
Bookstore Basketball Fun Facts
- Every year, the bookstore basketball commissioners select the Top 10 Bookstore team names to be featured on a t-shirt
- There are several websites that compile lists of censored Bookstore Basketball team names.
- Many Bookstore Basketball players have been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, including Joe Montana, Rocket Ismail, and Lou Holtz.
- Two Bookstore Basketball players have been selected to US Olympic basketball teams (Adrian Dantley, 1976 and Bill Hanzlik, 1980).
- The most points by an individual in one game is 21 (Gus Herbert, 1985)
- President Barack Obama referenced Bookstore Basketball in his 2009 commencement speech, expressing his disappointment that the "Barack O'Ballers" did not win.
