My good friend, Pete, had been talking for months about the 7th Annual Hoop for Coop Men’s Health Fair & Basketball Tip Off, which was held Saturday at the James A. Rhodes Arena at the University of Akron.
In Akron, high school rivalries never lose their luster. Buchtel versus East (my alma mater) was always a big game.
And I was prepared to ball and win for a very worthy cause.
Hoop for Coop honors Kimyata “Coop” Cooper Jr., who in 2016 lost his life at age of 34 due to heart failure while playing basketball. His friends quickly organized an event that seeks to end health disparities among men, with an emphasis on the Black community.
Saturday’s event drew nearly 600 visitors and athletes from different generations and different skill levels, and we battled not only other teams, but also Father Time. As an Akron All City Series Basketball award winner myself, I wanted to build community with friends while developing our skills and giving fans a show.
Hoop for Coop event emphasizes need for health screenings in Akron
But before these men could hoop, they got their blood pressure checked.
These few seconds can save lives.
Players must also visit at least three vendor stations – many are health-related organizations. (I spoke with staff from Molina Healthcare, an event sponsor, about healthcare coverage that can protect my family.)
Blacks in America, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, have a lower rate of diagnosed heart disease than whites but a higher rate of death from it. Blacks also have higher incidences of high blood pressure. (Click here to learn more about the data and find out about risk factors and ways to prevent heart disease.)
Showing why I’ve always been a starter
Basketball has been important to me since I was 10 years old, so I skipped scheduled Saturday engagements to play my favorite sport.
I can’t say the excitement around the Hoop for Coop event made it feel like high school all over again – it was better! But it didn’t feel that way until I walked into Rhodes Arena at the University of Akron.
LeBron James played at Rhodes Arena for his high school basketball games, so the bar was set high for all participants. Lots of participants wore LeBron James shoes, a nod to his greatness.
After the noon games, I put on my new brand new shoes, joined Team Moss and warmed up. After tip-off, I was put into the game and got to show why I’ve always been a starter. I’m sure I put the gym on notice with how many points I scored in my first game. But my focus was on the next games at 3 p.m.
East High School (my team) versus Kenmore High School was the game of the day. Every player had a skirt or jersey displaying their school’s colors.
The first half’s action included lights-out shooting from my East teammates, giving us a double-digit lead. And later, one of my teammates made a 3-pointer from Curry-land after holding the ball for the final shot before halftime. The second half was close, but our rebounding wasn’t quite there as the Kenmore team pulled away.
Two scholarships awarded during 7th annual event
With music blasting the entire day, in true street ball fashion, everyone in Rhodes Arena enjoyed themselves. We also proved that time doesn’t have to be a destructive force, nor should getting older be despised.
I tried to talk my brother into suiting up this year for Buchtel’s Team, but he didn’t have the correct jersey and apparel. I’m sure he will play next year.
This year, two exemplary students each received a $1,000 scholarships, a first for event organizers.
I played in three games. If you think I lost any of them, just know there are no losers when you participate in Hoop for Coop.
We’ll put on another show at next year’s games for sure.
