Hoopsville Story
Hoopsville is the only show dedicated to Division III basketball in the world. One show, focused on the largest NCAA division and sport, on air for 16 years in some form or fashion out of a basement studio (office).
Hoopsville was a brainchild of Dave McHugh’s back in 2000. Since then it has been on the air for 14 seasons and become a must-watch event for basketball fans, coaches, players, and others.
The show is no longer a hobby, but a major part of McHugh’s life. It has grown from a once-a-week two-hour show to a twice-a-week program from November until March. It features a 12-hour marathon show, an NCAA tournament selections special, a bracket-breakdown event, and live pre-game and post-game, court-side, coverage from the men’s basketball championships each year, and plenty more.
The challenge: it costs a lot to keep the show going especially at the higher and higher standards it has created. The show has incredible support from the likes of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, and D3hoops.com, but there are still expenses like travel, equipment upgrades, and more that can be overwhelming.
For several years, we turned to those who love the show to help the show and they have done so each and every year. It is humbling to know that Hoopsvillea is important to so many that donating to keep it going or help it improve is important to others. It is also humbling to hear those who have donated ask if they can do so again and again. People want to give back as a way of saying thank you.
What does it mean to donate to Hoopsville? Consider it like donating to public television. We spend the money on making the sure the show remains on the air and improving where we can. Pay the bills, upgrade equipment, take a trip to cover Division III basketball more in person. Understand we want the spotlight to be brighter on the programs, coaches, and especially the student-athletes who dedicate themselves to the sport and the division. Your donation goes a long way in doing all of that.
So we are asking for your help. We want to cover Division III basketball the way we feel it deserves to be covered. These student-athletes give it all not only on the basketball court, but also in the classroom and in their communities. They deserve to have a spotlight on them and we are the ones shining the light. Helping us now, even a small amount, can have a large impact.
What We Need & What You Get
We decided to raise the bar this year. We want to raise $10,000 knowing that about 10-percent will be lost in fees. We want to try and raise more so we can do more.
There are upgrades needed in our studios including to maintain our production computer. Some gear has also shown signs of age and needs to be replaced – a common, yearly problem.
There is also the hope to travel. Being able to get out of the studio and see games on campus or being in gyms around the country gives us a better chance to not only appreciate great basketball around the country, but bring the spotlight to more student-athletes. And when we travel, we bring the show with us as we did earlier this season to Roanoke College and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
As the show grows, as do expectations which means we need more staff to help run Hoopsville. Raising money along with hopefully finding sponsors and advertisers will allow us to expand the production team from one person – Dave McHugh – to others.
In the past, expenses were paid for out of our own pockets or thanks to modest contributions from the WBCA and NABC. However, we want to do more – it just costs more.
Contribute to the Hoopsville Fundraiser and we will find ways to thank you:
- Contribute at least $10 and we will recognize you on our special contributors' page on our website (www.d3hoopsville.com).
- Contribute at least $30 and we will recognize you on our contributors' page and publicly thank you on a future Hoopsville show.
- The first 20 to contribute at least $75 and we will recognize you on our contributors' page, publicly thank you on a future show, and send you a Hoopsville t-shirt.
- The first 10 to contribute at least $150 and will get all of the above plus Dave will wear your school's shirt on the show while also interviewing the men's or women's coach of your choosing (if we can't accommodate that option by the end of this season, we will make sure to have the guest on early next season).
- The first five to contribute at least $250 and will get all of the above PLUS give you the chance to appear on Hoopsville to talk about your team and why you love Division III basketball (if you so choose).
No matter what amount we raise, we will use it wisely to improve what we can because ultimately even a small drop in the bucket can have a ripple effect.
The Impact
Many have asked us to continue providing them a chance to give back to us and our programming. We compare it a little to public television and public radio. We have tried to be humble in our efforts, but in the last few years we have grown to appreciate how much people enjoy our efforts and want to give back.
Every dollar counts. The costs add up quickly. From the basic bills for power, internet, telephone line, and the like. To equipment like computer upgrades and software. Even other gear like cameras, lighting, microphones, and more. It all adds up. Over the years, we have collected gear and done our best to maintain it, but all equipment eventually fails and needs to be replaced.
We have also grown to appreciate that going to games in different parts of the country is a thrill not only to see teams we normally don't see, but to watch student-athletes do more than just play basketball. Of course, airfare or gas, hotels, rental vehicles, etc. all adds up as well. We want to travel more, but don't honestly have the ability to head out the door whenever we want and travel wherever we want.
To give you an idea of how our costs, here are some items we have paid for over the last few years:
- Production Software (Wirecast): $500-1,000 for software upgrades.
- HD Video Camera: $1,500 (slightly used) - future costs will probably be around $2,000.
- Wireless microphones system for camera: $500
- Audio board: $250 - will need to replace these soon.
- Microphones and cables in studio: $1,000 - many of these are several years old and need to be replaced.
- Lighting (studio and mobile): $800
- Video editing software: $550 a year
There are other expenses as well we have already had to spend on this season, are ready to purchase now, or are on the wish list. They include headset amplifiers, cables, new video cameras, and more. None of what we show here covers hotels, airplanes, cars, etc., when we are on the road seeing games and gathering interviews for the show.
We know there are some who still want to contribute to the show and any help we receive will make a huge impact on what we are able to do in the future. Remember this is essentially a hobby and expenses to run the show come out of our. We do these fundraisers because people do care about our programming and we constantly struggle to find advertisers willing to invest in what they consider a small fish.
This show has proven to be more than something we enjoy doing: is has become the center of conversation in Division III basketball and even for the entire division. The show has an impact on the sport and the division and we want to continue having a voice especially for the student-athletes.
Other Ways You Can Help
We certainly understand if you cannot make a financial contribution, however you can still contribute. Spread the word about our campaign, so that others may be able to contribute to the cause. Tell people about Hoopsville. The more who watch, the bigger the spotlight on Division III basketball becomes. You can even donate goods or services you think could impact the show. Maybe you know a sponsor or advertiser who would like to be part of the program. Let them know about us; let us know about them.
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 and #Hoopsville), Facebook (www.facebook.com/Hoopsville), and Instagram (@d3hoopsville and #Hoopsville).
