University of Memphis Athletics
Tigers Women's Basketball Heels & Hoops Gala An Annual Success
Nov 25, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Event has raised nearly $250,000 for the program the past six years.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It's nice when visions blossom into reality. And meet and even exceed expectations.
That's what a trio of University of Memphis women's basketball supporters did back in the early summer of 2010, which was Tigers head coach Melissa McFerrin's second year.
McFerrin and then-Memphis associate athletics director Lynn Parkes approached Gigi Wiertelak, Sandy Lenoir and the late Barbara Bronze about ideas on how to raise money for the Tigers women's basketball program.
The trio's brainchild: an annual Heels & Hoops event every October. The brainchild – described as a fundraising gala disguised as a dance party by some – is looking rather smart six years in.
In the first six years from 2010-15, Heels & Hoops has raised nearly $250,000 for the women's basketball program, and McFerrin is thankful for all the support, especially from the event's three visionaries.
"I will forever be grateful to Gigi, Sandy and Barbara," McFerrin said. "In my second year, Lynn (Parkes) and I asked them for help in financially supporting women's basketball, and in four months, they had the first Heels & Hoops off the ground and raised a significant amount of money.
"They, along with many other supporters, have nurtured the annual occasion from a small gathering that first year to an event that sold out 47 tables this past October. In addition, the support from sponsors and those that provide sponsorships has been tremendous.
Heels & Hoops raised just under $25,000 its first two years, but has since exploded, taking in nearly $50,000 in 2014 and over $70,000 this past October. It's a growth that has even amazed McFerrin.
"Every year, the Heels & Hoops committee does a tremendous job in putting this together, and it's with great appreciate that I talk about it. Those that attend love the event, the players love it.
"Again, all the credit goes to Gigi, Sandy and Barbara for where this event is today. Heels & Hoops has grown, and the event's growth is a result of their commitment from day one."
This year's Heels & Hoops co-chairs were Lenoir and Wiertelak. The committee also included Dianne Day, Elizabeth Duncan, Kathryn Feinstone, Judy Gupton, Doreen Harris, Charlotte Hodges, Gina Jones, Kat Kundmueller, Donna LaRiviere, Joy McPhail, Susan Stralka, Nancy Thompson, Peggy White and Alex Winchell, along with McFerrin and Parkes.
The money that Heels & Hoops raises is used in many different areas to support the women's basketball program, and in 2016, the FastBreak Club – along with Heels & Hoops and the program's annual golf tournament – is paying for the entire cost of the team's international trip to Spain. The Tigers are scheduled to play four games on the exhibition tour next summer.
And, after the summer trip to Spain, Memphis basketball and Tigers fans can look forward to the seventh-annual Heels & Hoops in October of 2016.
That's what a trio of University of Memphis women's basketball supporters did back in the early summer of 2010, which was Tigers head coach Melissa McFerrin's second year.
McFerrin and then-Memphis associate athletics director Lynn Parkes approached Gigi Wiertelak, Sandy Lenoir and the late Barbara Bronze about ideas on how to raise money for the Tigers women's basketball program.
The trio's brainchild: an annual Heels & Hoops event every October. The brainchild – described as a fundraising gala disguised as a dance party by some – is looking rather smart six years in.
In the first six years from 2010-15, Heels & Hoops has raised nearly $250,000 for the women's basketball program, and McFerrin is thankful for all the support, especially from the event's three visionaries.
"I will forever be grateful to Gigi, Sandy and Barbara," McFerrin said. "In my second year, Lynn (Parkes) and I asked them for help in financially supporting women's basketball, and in four months, they had the first Heels & Hoops off the ground and raised a significant amount of money.
"They, along with many other supporters, have nurtured the annual occasion from a small gathering that first year to an event that sold out 47 tables this past October. In addition, the support from sponsors and those that provide sponsorships has been tremendous.
Heels & Hoops raised just under $25,000 its first two years, but has since exploded, taking in nearly $50,000 in 2014 and over $70,000 this past October. It's a growth that has even amazed McFerrin.
"Every year, the Heels & Hoops committee does a tremendous job in putting this together, and it's with great appreciate that I talk about it. Those that attend love the event, the players love it.
"Again, all the credit goes to Gigi, Sandy and Barbara for where this event is today. Heels & Hoops has grown, and the event's growth is a result of their commitment from day one."
This year's Heels & Hoops co-chairs were Lenoir and Wiertelak. The committee also included Dianne Day, Elizabeth Duncan, Kathryn Feinstone, Judy Gupton, Doreen Harris, Charlotte Hodges, Gina Jones, Kat Kundmueller, Donna LaRiviere, Joy McPhail, Susan Stralka, Nancy Thompson, Peggy White and Alex Winchell, along with McFerrin and Parkes.
The money that Heels & Hoops raises is used in many different areas to support the women's basketball program, and in 2016, the FastBreak Club – along with Heels & Hoops and the program's annual golf tournament – is paying for the entire cost of the team's international trip to Spain. The Tigers are scheduled to play four games on the exhibition tour next summer.
And, after the summer trip to Spain, Memphis basketball and Tigers fans can look forward to the seventh-annual Heels & Hoops in October of 2016.
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