Back in the Game

After a six-year hiatus, the Hoop Shoot is back with a bang in Vacaville, California. Edwin Curtin stepped up to the line to revive the Hoop Shoot in his community. Thanks to his persistence and organization, the Vacaville Lodge No. 2638 Elks are prepared to host a vibrant, fun Hoop Shoot.

Curtin learned the value of grit early in life as a young athlete.

“I played basketball in high school and see value in committing to a purpose,” Curtin says. “That is how I became interested in the Elks Hoop Shoot. I still appreciate the character development that comes from commitment and dedication.”

These lifelong values served him well as a member of the Air Force, United States Coast Guard, and—post-retirement—as a member of the Elks.

When Curtin learned about the Hoop Shoot from a fellow Elk, he volunteered to coordinate a contest at his Lodge.

“I have seen our city grow over the past 17 years, including many new families who never heard of the Hoop Shoot but are familiar with the Elks. I have the ability to change that.”

To get the word out, the Elks reached out to organizations across Vacaville. After bringing posters to businesses and schools across the city, Curtin targeted his outreach to places that already offered outlets for local kids.

The local schools and sports center took interest in the program. With the support of the Georgie Duke Sports Center, Curtin set up a booth to promote the program. The word spread quickly.

The interest grew and so did the Lodge efforts. The Lodge hosted a Hoop Shoot Karaoke Tailgate party to boost excitement for their contest. Using Griteos, Curtin showed kids that building character can be fun through the Hoop Shoot.

“It’s kind of infectious,” says Curtin. “The kids take over the show with their enthusiasm.” A Hoop Shoot practice event with one school’s gym classes attracted more than 120 participants and 24 registrations from the most enthusiastic of the bunch.

The growing excitement even caught the attention of the City of Vacaville. After the Elks hosted a successful Hoop Shoot booth at the Vacaville Kids Festival, the City offered support for the contest. Under Curtin’s leadership, the rekindled Hoop Shoot fever at the Lodge has become a local sensation.

Curtin thanks his fellow California Hoop Shoot Directors for their inspiring guidance. California State Director Mike “Coach” Rittenhouse and Region 7 Hoop Shoot Director Larry Torres offered valuable advice and encouragement. With their combined decades of experience, Rittenhouse and Torres hone their District and Lodge Directors to give families the best Hoop Shoot experience possible.

As Curtin says, “Being around successful leaders makes good leaders better!”

With the support of his community, Curtin looks forward to the Lodge Hoop Shoot contest.

“I look forward to meeting families in our community who are engaged in the success of their kids,” Curtin says, adding “I also look forward to seeing our local young people progress through the various levels of the tourney.”

Beyond the excitement of the competition, Curtin keeps community investment at the core of his Hoop Shoot outreach efforts. As a fellowship-driven organization, the Elks build relationships through service. With the Hoop Shoot, the Vacaville Elks are making a positive impact on the youth in their community.

“My ultimate goal is to use the Hoop Shoot Program to reintroduce the Elks in a favorable way to families in the community. Hopefully this will grow our membership.”

Because as Curtin says, “It’s all about the people.”

The Elks have been developing gritty kids through the Hoop Shoot program for more than 46 years. In 2018-19, the Elks National Foundation allocated $1 million to fund the program.