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Dick’s Sporting Goods Distributes $9,200 To Each School After High School Basketball Event

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Nicole Houston, manager of Hickory’s Dick’s Sporting Goods store, presents a check to representatives from the high schools that participated in the 2022 Dick’s Sporting Goods Classic Basketball Tournament. Pictured, from left, are Fred T. Foard athletic director Samy Shreitah, South Caldwell athletic director Ethan James, Alexander Central boys basketball coach Ed Wills, Hickory boys basketball coach Daniel Willis, Houston, Maiden boys basketball coach Justin Brittain, Bunker Hill boys basketball coach Anthony Church, St. Stephens boys basketball coach Patrick Smith and Newton-Conover athletic director Todd Davis.

The final accounting has been turned in for the 2022 DICK’S Sporting Goods Classic Basketball Tournament and each of the eight participating schools have received checks in the amount of $4,200 from gate proceeds. On the court, Alexander Central won the women’s championship and Hickory took the men’s title.  This year, in addition to the gate proceeds, each school received an additional check for $5,000 from the Dick’s Sports Goods Foundation and their “Sports Matter” program. That gave each participating school a grand total of $9,200 for the athletics programs.

The DICK’S Sporting Goods Classic is well known throughout the region as the premier holiday high school basketball tournament for over 30 years.  The Hickory Metro Sports Commission serves as the host organization for the event and distributes the gate receipts among the participating schools.

The participating high schools include: Alexander Central, Bunker Hill, Fred T. Foard, Hickory, Maiden, Newton-Conover, South Caldwell and St. Stephens.  Financially, it was a great event for all eight schools off the court. Over 3,500 fans were treated to an exciting three days of high school basketball.

“It takes more than just one or two people to make this tournament a success,” said DICK’S Sporting Goods Classic Tournament Co-Director Ernie Masche. “On behalf of the Hickory Metro Sports Commission, I would like to thank the DICK’S Sporting Goods Classic Tournament Committee and everyone at Catawba Valley Community College who gave up some of their holiday break. Finally, this is all about the schools and their athletic programs. We appreciate all our local sponsors, our title sponsor Dick’s Sporting Goods and of course the fans who ultimately make this tournament possible and enable each school to add much needed funds to their athletic programs.”

“At DICK’S Sporting Goods, we believe that sports make people better, build character, and increase confidence. We’re proud to have been a part of this annual high school basketball tradition in Hickory, along with being able to provide some additional support through our Sports Matter program to each of the athletic programs”   – Brent DiGiacomo, Community Marketing Manager for DICK’S Sporting Goods.

Planning is currently underway for the 35th annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Classic.  The 2022 Dick’s Sporting Goods Classic will be held on December 28, 29 and 30, 2022.  Reach out to the Hickory Metro Sports Commission for more information on the tournament or to become a tournament sponsor.

The Hickory Metro Sports Commission is a non-profit organization whose mission is to further the quality of life through the development, promotion, and recruitment of sporting events and activities to the Greater Hickory area.  For more information about the Sports Commission visit www.hickorymetrosports.com.

Photo: Hickory Daily Record