MAUI, Hawaii (Sept. 7, 2023) – The
Maui Invitational launched today the
Hoops for 'Ohana online auction in partnership with Hawai'i Community Foundation's
Maui Strong Fund, which is dedicated to providing financial resources for rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires on Maui. All fans will have the opportunity to bid on items donated by past Maui Invitational basketball programs and Tournament partners, purchase Maui Strong t-shirts as well as make monetary donations.
The auction will remain open now through Nov. 22, 2023, (with select time-sensitive items such as ticket and event packages closing earlier) and can be accessed by signing up online at
mauiinvitational.com/hoopsforohana or texting MAUIINV to 76278. Dozens of teams and partners have contributed to the auction, and 100% of all proceeds will go directly to wildfire relief and recovery efforts.
The Maui Invitational has called Maui home for nearly 40 years. During that time, the Tournament and the island have become an important part of the college basketball community. Every November, thousands of fans pack the historic Lahaina Civic Center to watch the top men's college basketball programs compete in the prestigious early-season Tournament. Now, the Tournament is hoping fans will help support the island as they begin the process of recovery and rebuilding.
"If you've experienced 'Maui Magic', you understand the impact the Maui Invitational has on the island and the larger college basketball community," said Coach Dave Odom, Tournament Chairman. "As our Maui 'ohana faces the task of rebuilding a place that has come to mean so much to so many of us, we are leaning on our Maui fans and supporters to rally together and give back."
The Hoops for 'Ohana auction page contains unique items ranging from autographed basketballs and game tickets to school gear and game-used memorabilia. The Tournament is also auctioning off official Maui Invitational surfboards from 2006 through 2018, signed by past Tournament coaches, including Mike Krzyzewski, Bill Self and Tom Izzo. Other popular non-basketball items include a stay-and-play package at the award-winning Streamsong Resort and a VIP travel package with Tournament partner Hyatt Regency Maui.
For more information on the Maui Invitational and the Hoops for 'Ohana effort, visit
mauiinvitational.com/hoopsforohana.
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About the Maui Invitational
In December 1982, then No. 1 ranked Virginia, led by National College Player of the Year Ralph Sampson, played little-known NAIA Chaminade University in Honolulu while on the way back from a trip to Tokyo. The Silverswords stunned top-ranked Virginia 77-72 in one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history. Two years later, in 1984,
Chaminade University hosted the first
Maui Jim Maui Invitational and it has proven to be the premier early-season college basketball tournament for 36 years running. Each year, the Maui Jim Maui Invitational attracts the top programs, best-known coaches and most outstanding players to compete in an exciting atmosphere at the
Lahaina Civic Center near the beautiful beaches of
Maui.
About KemperSports LIVE
KemperSports LIVE, a division of KemperSports, is focused on operating and managing sports events, elevating brands through sponsorships and activation, delivering client value through sponsorship sales, and generating high impact sport and event PR. The team has managed and operated major national events and partnerships, including the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, the Asheville Championship, the McDonald's All American Games, the POWERADE Jam Fest, activation for KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership, and the Jr. NBA. For more information, visit
www.kempersportslive.com.
