Last year's "Hoops on the Haasephalt" drew a record crowd. Photo from UAB Image GalleryTrinity Dix - Staff Writertri915@uab.edu
This month will kick off basketball season with the fifth annual “Hoops on the Green” event spotlighting the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
“The event symbolizes the start of the men’s and women’s basketball season,” said Ted Feeley, the associate athletics director for communications. “It’s a chance for the fans to get a glimpse of the teams for the upcoming season.”
The Hoops on the Green event began back in 2012 and is entering its fifth year under first year head coach Robert Ehsan. Originally, the event was known as “Hoops on the Haasephalt” after former head coach Jerod Haase, who in March left UAB after four seasons to take the head coach position at Stanford. Under Haase, the men’s basketball team received an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament where they upset Iowa State to make it to the round of 32.
“We wanted to keep the name recognition,” Feeley said about the change in the name of the event. “We didn’t want to change the name too much.”
The event, hosted by UAB Athletics, will this year be sponsored primarily by Pepsi with Golden Flake, the UAB Bookstore, Legacy Community Federal Credit Union and Viva Health as presenting sponsors.
Hoops on the Green includes activities such as performances by UAB cheerleaders and Golden Girls, with competitions and music provided by the Marching Blazers.
“It’s a nontraditional event where the fans and newcomers can meet with the team,” Feeley said. “It is a fun night all around with music and games.”
Last year’s event, where WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder was a special guest, drew a record 7,500 people.
“I think we’re expecting the same amount that we had at the Green and Gold Game, which would be about 5,000 people,” Feeley said. “It is a highly successful event for the past few years. We hope that many people come out.”
This year’s special guests include UAB President Ray Watts, Ph.D. and athletics director Mark Ingram.
The event will take place on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m., and will be held on the Campus Green.
