Hoops For Heroes and Veterans Honor Week
The third annual installment of Jessup’s Hoops for Heroes game returned on November 8, 2024 as the Warriors kicked off a special week at Jessup University. One of the more special games on the calendar each year, this year’s rendition saw a meeting of the two Jessup campuses, as coming to Warrior Arena was Multnomah, making their first-ever trip to Rocklin.
“Jessup University and Jessup Athletics are passionate about serving our veteran community,” said Vice President of Athletics Lance Von Vogt. “Our annual Hoops for Heroes celebration and game has become a must-attend event. Every dollar we raise goes toward our Victor A. Dew Scholarship fund, along with improvements to our on-campus Veteran Resource Center. It makes it even better that we get to partner with our friends at The Honor Group every year.”
Hoops for Heroes, which made its debut in 2022, is a night centered around those who fought to keep our great nation free. Prior to tip-off, an on-court ceremony was held to honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. A color guard was on hand to present the colors of the United States of America, and a battle cross was made to pay respect to our fallen soldiers.
During Hoops for Heroes last year, a special dedication was held beforehand to mark the opening of the University’s on-campus Veteran’s Resource Center, located across from the Student Life building.
This year’s Hoops for Heroes game kicks off the inaugural Honor Week at Jessup University, which runs through November 15. The week will be spent honoring our veterans and blue-star families, and each day has a prayer focus, encouraging the community to pray over each branch of the military.
In the two renditions of Hoops for Heroes, Jessup has welcomed veterans of all branches of the United States Military to attend the event, dating back to the Korean War. All active duty and retired military personnel enjoyed free admission to this event.
Des Nelson, who served the United States Army Reserve and also works with the Advancement Team here at Jessup University, added of the event, “The main purpose of this night is not just to raise funds. The main purpose is to honor our Jessup veterans. Our student veterans, faculty veterans, and staff veterans.”
The 2024 Hoops for Heroes game saw Jessup University square off with their newest sister campus in Portland, Oregon. Jessup and Multnomah competed against one another for the first-time last season when the Warriors were in Oregon. Now, the Lions returned the favor with their first trip to Rocklin.
