‘Hoops’ event still brings ‘Hope’
-
Surrounded by of University of Tennessee Women’s and Men’s Basketball players, David Sexton, center, spoke during Hoops for Hope in Farragut High School’s Lynn E. Sexton Gymnasium Saturday, Aug. 27. David and his wife, Lisa Sexton (not pictured), now lead the annual event, begun in 2007 by their son, Trey Sexton. - Michelle Hollenhead
-
Decker Stone, age 8, was among Hoops for Hope participants. - Michelle Hollenhead
Farragut Eagle Scout Trey Sexton’s project lives on — 15 years later — thanks to continued support from his family and the University of Tennessee Athletics Department.
Hoops for Hope, a program uniting the Down syndrome Awareness Group of East Tennessee and UT’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams returned to Farragut High School’s Lynn E. Sexton Gymnasium Saturday, Aug. 27, following a two-year COVID hiatus.
More than 400 individuals comprised this year’s program — including volunteers and families alongside 52 Down syndrome participants, who were able to hold their own against UT’s Basketball teams.
“We’ve been coming forever,” said Ed Stone, whose daughter, Decker, was among enthusiastic participants.
Hoops for Hope is now one of the main fundraisers for DSAG, and helps fund camp and activity scholarships for individuals with Down syndrome.
Now led by David and Lisa Sexton, the program was founded by their son, Trey Sexton, in 2007.
“He was looking for an Eagle Scout project and had been impacted as a first-grader by being a ‘buddy’ to a student with Down syndrome,” his father recalled. “Additionally, we are and have always been an active family, and he wanted to somehow incorporate basketball into the project.
“We brainstormed, and came up with some ideas and approached UT, and they were very receptive,” the elder Sexton added. “It took about a year-and-a-half to plan the first one because there were a lot of moving parts.”
David said the enthusiasm of UT players helped fuel the ongoing efforts.
“We thought it would just be a one-time event, but the players wanted to do it again after that first year,” he said.
The Sexton family, which includes daughter, Allie, and triplets, Connor, Tanner and Sydney, all stepped up to help as Trey went on to a two-year church mission trip, dental school and is now in an oral surgery residency in Denver.
“I’m so happy Hoops for Hope continues and grows each year, and that my family is able to continue to be a part of this wonderful event,” Trey has said. “The day is both exciting and encouraging, as we get to watch both the phenomenal players with Down syndrome and the Men’s and Women’s UT basketball teams spend time together on the court enjoying the universal game of basketball.
“I have said since the start of this event, it is proof that the ‘Volunteer Spirit’ is alive and well in East Tennessee.”
David said it “takes a lot of volunteers” to put on the annual event,” and praised FHS officials, specifically athletic director Donald Dodgen, who “has been instrumental and constant with his support.”
Hoops for Hope seeks additional volunteers — it is the family’s hope the program will grow year after year.
For more information, contact Sexton at dsexton.lds@gmail.com.
