Hoopsfest 2011

I really wanted to write a blog about my experience in Santa Fe at the end of February. I really did. But because of some unforseen circumstances that blog will wait 'til later. Suffice it to say, I had a great time, took a great class with Ami Vitale, and learned a bunch about myself and multimedia storytelling. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll be able to post our story and talk a lot more about it.

But this blog is about hoopsfest. Josh Himan graduated from college. And then he decided to join the Marines. As an enlisted. He was part of the surge in Helmand province, and eventually an IED detonated underneath his Humvee. He is paralyzed below the waist and partially in one hand. He's been working hard to get home, and I had a chance to spend 1 day at Walter Reed with him. Then, a few weeks later, the paper I work for, The News & Messenger, held Hoopsfest. The event is a 3-point contest, 2-ball competition (2 players, time limit, score from various points on the court) and then the slam dunk competition. The proceeds (over $13,000) went to Josh and his family.