This past weekend marked the 10th time (non-consecutive) that I served as a court monitor at Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament. As an ode to the milestone, I used the coin I was supplied at the first Hoopfest I volunteered at in 2008 to conduct the pre-game coin tosses for this past weekend’s games.

At Hoopfest 2026, I used the coin I was given when I first served as a court monitor in 2008 to conduct the coin tosses during our pre-game meetings.

What a contrast between then and now. Back in 2008 it was the 19th Hoopfest and I was a bachelor in college. Fast forward 18 years and I found myself volunteering at the 36th Hoopfest with a wife and two kids in tow.

A photo of me at Hoopfest 2008. This was my first year as a court monitor. I would do it for six consecutive years before moving across the country. Since then, I have done it four other times, including for the past three years.

And let me tell you, I definitely prefer the latter arrangement. Not only is life richer when you have loved ones to experience it with but extra bodies can also help immensely with court monitoring. 😉

Beau helped keep score as it was a major thrill for him. It sure makes court monitoring easier when you have people, especially loved ones, supporting you.

For the third year in a row, the four of us worked together at a Hoopfest court as our family’s small way of giving back to the community. I handled the court monitoring duties, Sidney maintained the paperwork/administrative upkeep, and the kids handled keeping score.

For the third straight year, my family worked together to volunteer at one of the 425 Hoopfest courts. The scorecard depicts the year (2026).

This year we were kept on our toes as we oversaw a competitive male bracket…and competitive might have been an understatement. The teams on our court played hard, expected to win, and demanded competence from the volunteers running the games.

Just how I like it.

At Hoopfest, sections of courts fall under the jurisdiction of a court marshal. The court marshal oversees the court monitors within that section. This photo is of the court marshal and my fellow court monitors who volunteered on our section located on Spokane Falls Blvd (I am on the far left). Daniel Greer served as our court marshal and did an outstanding job (photo courtesy of Daniel Greer).

Although court monitoring for talented and ultra-competitive people can be a little intimidating, I couldn’t think of a better assignment. It’s an honor to court monitor for people who take the game very seriously and it is also very entertaining as well. Over the course of two days, we saw some excellent basketball.

Sid and Sloan keep score at one of the games during Hoopfest 2026.

That exciting basketball came from a relatively small bracket. Comprised of just 10 teams, we finished our volunteer duties a bit earlier than many of the other courts. This allowed the four of us to enjoy Hoopfest in a multitude of non-court monitor ways from watching games to enjoying vendor food to visiting center court.

Because our bracket had just 10 teams, we had a little time at the end of each day to enjoy Hoopfest beyond just our assigned court. This photo is of Sloan watching the center court action from the top of the Riverfront Park Pavilion.

We did this in weather that was a little atypical for Hoopfest. Late June in Spokane usually brings hot, sunny, and dry conditions. This past weekend, temperatures maxed out in the mid-60s, securing legendary status as one of the coldest Hoopfest on record. Even though I wouldn’t have minded a little warmer weather, the overcast and cool elements proved perfect for the players.

With a scowl like that, I am actually surprised the players tolerated me. 😂

And speaking of those players, we sure met some nice ones on our court. One of the absolute best parts of serving as a court monitor is the relationships and rapport you develop with the participants over the weekend. A mutual respect develops and I feel it is a great learning experience for Sloan and Beau to observe and appreciate.

Sidney assists one of the players by applying a band-aid during Hoopfest 2026. Developing relationships with the participants and fans is probably the best part about volunteering at Hoopfest.

The most rewarding interaction I had all weekend came from a team that wasn’t very happy with me on Saturday. They thought a flagrant foul should have been called on a specific play but I didn’t think the infraction reached that level. One player in particular—along with his dad—let me know their displeasure in uncertain terms. When that team was eliminated late on Sunday, every player on the team shook my hand and thanked me—including the young man and his dad. The player then proceeded to apologize for the day before (which he didn’t need to do). It is that type of respect, humility, and graciousness that makes Hoopfest so awesome.

I stand with Daniel Greer, my court marshal, during Saturday of Hoopfest 2026. This was the second time I served under Dan. I sure appreciate his support and encouragement.

Our bracket ended in exciting fashion. The team that came through the loser’s bracket beat the winner’s bracket team in the championship game. This of course set up a second and final title game. In front of a large and enthusiastic crowd that included NBA hall-of-famer John Stockton, the team that originally came through the winner’s bracket held on to win the game and a Hoopfest championship.

As my family made sure the games on Xfinity #10 went on without a hitch, former NBA star John Stockton (ball cap and glassed behind the “10” on the score card) watched the action as his nephews captured the Hoopfest championship in our bracket.

What an honor it was to once again volunteer for Hoopfest. I owe a lot of gratitude to my court marshal, Daniel Greer, for providing me with support and encouragement throughout the tournament. I also am thankful to the players on our court this year who brought passion, talent, and humanity to Xfinity #10. And of course, most importantly, THANK YOU to Sidney, Sloan, and Beau. Hoopfest has become the perfect service project for us and over the past three years it has given us so many incredible memories.

I sure am thankful that I had my family’s support at Hoopfest 2026. What a special opportunity it was to work together as a team for a good cause. Hoopfest is very special to Sidney and me.

One last thing: Spokane is awesome! The spirit in this town is special and without it, Hoopfest wouldn’t be possible. I am lucky to live here and am constantly blown away at the cool things this community is able to pull off. Already looking forward to Hoopfest 2027! Don’t Blink.