When East Meets West in Springfield

Walter Kettelle, New England Hoop Shoot Regional Director

It didn’t take long to convince Walter Kettelle, the New England Hoop Shoot regional director, that the Hoop Shoot was one of the best Elks-sponsored programs. Walter served as the Kingstown, RI, ER in 1974-75, the first year the Hoop Shoot program was open to girls. A young shooter from his Lodge, Lisa Minnick, won the state and regional contests, and placed fourth at nationals. Walter traveled with her family by bus to the regional contest.

“The idea of meeting contestants, families and Elks from other states sold me on Hoop Shoot as a program,” Walter says. “I volunteered to be Lodge director and to serve on the State Hoop Shoot Committee.” Walter served as state director and was chosen to be a regional director in 1977.

Serving as a Regional Director has been a great experience for Walter. He’s had the opportunity to watch the program grow from the beginning to the stature that it holds today.

“It is a real joy to watch the contestants return year after year with no regards as to how they placed previously,” Walter says. “It gives you the opportunity to meet some of the youth who will lead this country, and play a small part in their lives. I also enjoy getting to know the fabulous Elks that volunteer at all levels of the program.”

One of Walter’s proudest moments occurred at this year’s national Hoop Shoot finals where the New England Region captured three of the six national championships. I addition, both Getty Powell Award winners were from his region. “Kelly Fox and Beau Cassidy have participated for years and have made all New England proud,” says Walter. “They are perfect examples that persistence, desire and dedication do have rewards.”

Walter believes the Hoop Shoot helps youth develop self confidence, set goals and dedicate themselves to accomplishing them. He’s also seen many of the contestants from different parts of the country develop lasting friendships from their involvement in the Hoop Shoot.

In addition, Walter says the Hoop Shoot promotes quality family time. “Quite often, the program is a family affair, with brothers, sisters, Mom and Dad all retrieving basketballs, getting the contestants to and from practice, and encouraging them to work to accomplish their goal,” Walter says. “If you listen to the families, they continually speak about the fact that the Hoop Shoot program is a first-class operation.”

While dedicated volunteers like Walter make the Hoop Shoot program successful, he feels none of it would be possible without funding from the Elks National Foundation. “ENF funding has to be considered one of the main reasons the Hoop Shoot has become such a successful program,” Walter says.

When he first started attending Regional contests, the states had to pay most of the costs. The kids rode buses to the contest, had an Awards Banquet and returned home in the same day. Now shooters and their families are treated to a three day weekend event at the Regional and National level.

“The ENF also provides the funds for promotion of the program and the training of the individuals involved,” Walter says. “Without it, I feel the program would not be what it is today. The Hoop Shoot is a platform to inform the public of the many great things accomplished by the Elks.”

Larry Torres, Hoop Shoot Regional Director, West Region

Larry Torres thanks his wife Betsy for the life rewards as a Hoop Shoot regional director. Larry was volunteering for the Hoop Shoot program at the district level when Betsy encouraged him to increase his involvement. Her best friend is a former district Hoop Shoot champion, and Betsy has great memories of the contest as a child. Today, they both feel strongly that more kids should have the opportunity to participate in the Hoop Shoot program, and they work hard to make this possible.

This past year, two of the six National Champions came from states in Larry’s region, yet his most recent trip to Springfield isn’t his proudest Hoop Shoot moment. More important to Larry than winning is making sure that each family has a good Hoop Shoot experience. “I would have to say my proudest moment was when a contestant and his entire family expressed their sincere appreciation for the Hoop Shoot program,” he recalls.

Larry measures his success as a regional director by the smiles of the contestants. He aims to make sure that each child feels special and has fun, win or lose. “There is no better feeling than seeing a contestant glowing with joy,” he says. “It’s my job to make that happen.”

While kids see the traveling and trophies as the highlights of the Hoop Shoot experience, Larry sees it differently. He feels that the program teaches kids determination and the importance of hard work, qualities that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Larry thinks Michael Jordan put it best when he said, “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

Working with schools has sustained the Hoop Shoot thus far, but gaining access to the school systems is becoming increasingly difficult, and Larry sees this as the program’s biggest challenge. “The Hoop Shoot is a mechanism for our schools to provide a recreational activity for our youth,” he explains. “It would be a shame if schools lost this.” Larry intends to keep working hard to make sure the Hoop Shoot program retains its presence in schools.

The countless hours that Larry and other volunteers dedicate to the program result in successful Hoop Shoot contests, year after year. Larry credits the Elks National Foundation for giving Hoop Shoot volunteers the opportunity to make a difference. “Without the ENF’s funding, we wouldn’t have the largest co-educational youth activity in the United States. As Elks, we should be proud of this. If you want to make a positive impact on your own community, donate to the ENF.”

For the 2004-05 year, the ENF has granted $614,125 to fund the Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program. To learn more about the Hoop Shoot, including how to host a local contest, visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot.