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Uncommon Words: Hooverball: Who will step up to help 30-year volunteer?
by Jerry Fleagle, Hoover Presidential Found · Op-Ed · May 18, 2017
Summer is approaching, the dandelions are in full bloom, and the Hoover Presidential Foundation is gearing up for another big year of our favorite pastime – Hooverball!
This season is extra special for us, as it will be the 30th year for the annual Hooverball National Championships, to be held once again in West Branch!
Shelby Clarton, a junior at the University of Iowa and our own summer intern, will help organize the games and build upon the youth games this year, expanding the field and including more players. I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank our regular volunteers who set up and line the courts, manage the brackets, and keep the games moving during the championships. Our three biggest supporters are Mike Johnston, Jarod Tylee and Tony Senio.
Let me tell you a little more about Mike Johnston. The games would not come off as well as they do without Mike’s help. His service goes well beyond Hometown Days. Last year, he packed up his truck and hauled equipment to Iowa State University so we could demo Hooverball to a new audience. He also assisted with Youth Hooverball, and is the only person who has played in the championships all 30 years! Now that’s dedication, and we appreciate Mike and all the other volunteers who help us put the games on!
This year, youth Hooverball will expand and include three divisions; students entering 4th and 5th grade, 6th and 7th, and 8th and 9th. Fourth through seventh graders will continue to use the 2 pound ball, and the older students will use the adult four-pounder. Expanding to three courts will allow more students to play in our two-hour time slot, and makes it harder on us to put on the program. We’ll need help!
We’re looking for up to six adults who can help us set up the youth courts Friday morning and assist with the divisions as they play from 4 to 6p.m. that evening. Training will be provided. It’s easy and satisfying work and appreciated by all in attendance. Please give us a call if you can help in any way! We’re also accepting tax-deductible contributions so we may continue to offer the youth tournament at no cost to the players.
The adult games run all day Saturday during Hometown Days, and registration is currently open at IowaGames.org. This is our second year as part of Iowa Games. The partnership has helped us with registration, promotion, shirts, and medals for the players. We’ve expanded our reach through them and hope to continue growth in the coming years.
The best promotions we can do come from you. When you post links and personal stories about adult and youth Hooverball games on your social media and share it with your friends, we can grow faster than you can imagine. And the more players we have, the better the competition! If you belong to a gym or workout group, get them involved! Stop by the Yellow House for some free posters to hang and let’s build this together! Are you up for the challenge?
Jerry Fleagle is the executive director of the Hoover Presidential Foundation. You may reach him at 319-643-5327 or JFleagle@hooverpf.org.
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