Hoopsville Story

I am Dave McHugh and I am the creator and host of the only show dedicated to Division III basketball in the world: Hoopsville. The show was a brainchild of mine back in 2000 when I worked for an online radio station that was a bit of ahead of the curve. There was free air time available and I thought why not start a show surrounding an NCAA division I have become passionate about and a sport I have covered or been a part of for a very long time.

Hoopsville quickly turned into more than a hobby or a show I had simply created since there was free time. It became a part of me and my life even during the off-season.

The show did take a hiatus after the online radio station went under, but Hoopsville returned and is now in its 11th season (unofficially). The show has grown from one night a week to two and a minimum of four hours a week. It even features special programming surrounding the selection and bracket announcements for both men's and women's NCAA championship tournaments and has traveled to the men's final four in Salem, Virginia for 13 straight years and the women's final four in Holland, Michigan last year. The biggest trip to Atlanta was last season where the Division III men's title was decided during the Division I Final Four festivities.

As the show has grown, so has the fan base. Viewers have grown accustom to hearing from coaches, players, administrators and others from around the country updating us about teams, conferences and news from each of the eight regions in Division III. Fans also know that they will hear from those who know Division III basketball the best and anticipate expert opinions as a result.

The one thing Hoopsville has never done is to ask those viewers and others to support the show. We have received contributions of different kinds from D3hoops.com and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and stretched those contributions as far as we could. Now we are asking for support from any of you who may be interested.

What We Need & What You Get

We are looking to raise $10,000 in the first ever Hoopsville fundraiser and every bit of that money will be spent in ways that benefit the show and in turn will even benefit other productions associated with D3sports.com (that I am responsible for).

There are computers along with gear and equipment that need to be replaced, we want to find a better streaming partner that doesn't ruin the Hoopsville experience for the viewers, and we want to take the show on the road more often and do bigger and better things to showcase Division III basketball.

We would love to try and have our guests on via webcam instead of the phone; take the show to regions and campuses we normally don't visit; add better cameras and lighting to improve the viewer's experience; overhaul the studio to allow better productions; afford to bring in people to assist with the show; pay the internet, electrical and phone bills associated with the show along with travel expenses that accrue very easily during the basketball season; shine the spotlight even brighter on the student-athletes that are so important to Division III basketball and athletics.

The more money we raise, the more things we can do.

Should you contribute to this fundraising campaign, we will thank you accordingly:

• Contribute at least $10 and we will recognize you on our special contributors' page on our website (www.d3hoopsville.com).
  
• Contribute at least $25 and we will recognize you on our contributors' page and publicly thank you on a future Hoopsville show.
  
• The first 15 to contribute at least $50 and we will recognize you on our contributors' page, publicly thank you on a future show, and send you a Hoopsville t-shirt by the end of the basketball season.
  
• The first 15 to contribute at least $100 and we will recognize you on our contributors' page, publicly thank you on a future show, send you a Hoopsville t-shirt, and I will wear your school's shirt on the show while also interviewing the men's or women's coach of your choosing.
  
• The first ten to contribute at least $250 and we will recognize you on our contributors' page, publicly thank you on a future show, send you a Hoopsville t-shirt, I will wear your school's shirt on the show while also interviewing the men's or women's coach of your choosing, and give you the chance to appear on Hoopsville to talk about your team and why you love Division III basketball.
  

And even if we don't reach our goal, we will thankfully take whatever we raise and use it wisely to improve what we can because ultimately even a small drop in the bucket can have a ripple effect.

The Impact

It is hard for me to ask for money especially when money is not something people throw around. However, I have been told on more than a few occasions that people want to contribute to the show. They want to see us do more things, travel to different places and events, and shine the light brighter and brighter on Division III basketball and thus athletics as a whole and especially the student-athletes. They are shocked that this is a hobby and essentially comes out of our pockets (except for the contributions we have received from D3hoops.com and the NABC over the years). They then ask why we haven't considered fundraising.

All of that has brought us to this point along with one other key factor: we aren't going to be able to do much more with this show if equipment fails and computers get too old because I can't afford to replace any of them.

This show has become more than just something I enjoy doing. We know people look forward to hearing from coaches, players, administrators and others around the country and talking Division III basketball. We want to continue doing the show and making an impact on the sport. The show is a trusted source of information and expert opinion that has garnered enough respect that even those at the NCAA are more than willing to appear when asked. But we need help to continue doing the show and improving it in the weeks, months and years ahead.

Understand that we will spend the money wisely and whatever is not spent will be put away to be used when needed. Yes, we may make these fundraisers an annual event, but in light of a constant struggle to find advertisers willing to invest in what they consider a small fish, this may be the only way we can continue our programming.

Consider us like PBS. You contribute, we spend wisely, and we provide much more than what you expect from us or your contribution.

And yes, we will move forward in other avenues as well. What we started with Hoopsville could easily translate into other sports or ventures as well, but that is something further on the horizon.

Other Ways You Can Help

We certainly understand if you can not make a financial contribution, however you may still be able to contribute towards the show. Spread the word about our campaign so that others may be able to contribute to the cause, also tell people about Hoopsville so more people will enjoy it like you do so it can become an even bigger spotlight on Division III basketball, donate goods or services you think could impact the show, or tell us ways you think you can contribute.

You can share this campaign via our blog on D3hoops.com or via the Indiegogo share tools. And you can easily contact us as well (hoopsville@d3hoops.com).

Also follow us on Twitter (@d3hoopsville or #Hoopsville) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Hoopsville).