PBL's Maryland Nighthawks

Washington, DC -- Saturday, June 17, 2006 was a beautiful day in the Nations Capital, both the weather and the 11th annual Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Set on Pennsylvania Avenue, directly in front of the United States Capital, the Maryland Nighthawks were on hand to support this wonderful cause. Star players Lawrence Moten, Randy "White Chocolate" Gill joined with many other area athletes, including Brendan Haywood of the Washington Wizards and Adonal Foyle of the Golden State Warriors in the celebrity game. "It is the one charity in this area that directly helps students in the DC public school system, by truly giving the opportunity to prepare for and attend college. The impact that Susie Kay has made on the community goes beyond words, and the Nighthawks are very proud to be associated with this wonderful event" stated Nighthawks owner Tom Doyle. The Nighthawks organization was out in full force at the event with owners Doyle and Jeanette McCool, Assistant General Manager David Lasdy participating.

The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund (HDSF) was founded in 1996 by Susie Kay, who taught American Government at H.D. Woodson High School in Washington, DC for over a decade. The organization began as a one-day event, a 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament staged to raise money for academic college scholarships for Kay's students. Since then, still led by Susie Kay, a committed group of dedicated volunteers, supporters and a small staff has worked to grow the effort into a year-round not-for-profit organization committed to expanding the academic and career horizons of Washington, DC public school students.

Since its inception in 1996, The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund has helped send nearly 750 DC public high school students to college and move toward a more positive and enriched future with the combination of awarding of over 1,100 academic college scholarships and renewals, totaling approximately $2.5 million coupled with our year long college prep mentoring program, internship program and SAT prep partnership program with the Princeton Review. Over 125 of Hoop Dreams students have now graduated from college. Most of the students are the first in their family to go to college. Hoop Dreams remains deeply committed to uniting the community and building bridges while supporting our local students and their dreams.

For more information about Hoop Dreams please visit www.hoopdreams.org