Hoops and Hoopla Raises $130,000 to Benefit National Jewish Health Funds support Morgridge Academy, school for children with chronic illnesses


DENVER - On April 4, supporters of National Jewish Health came together at Hoops & Hoopla to raise more than $130,000 for Morgridge Academy, a tuition-free day school for children with chronic illnesses located on the campus of National Jewish Health. As the only school of its kind in the country, Morgridge Academy is uniquely equipped to help students learn to manage their diseases while succeeding academically. This year, the fun-filled event was held at Number Thirty Eight, a sports bar and patio in Denver.
More than 300 guests attended the fans’ night out event, presented by Greiner Electric for the 19th year. Hoops & Hoopla is held annually in conjunction with the men’s college basketball semifinal games. The evening program, positioned between the two basketball games, was emceed by Ryan Harris, former NFL offensive tackle, Super Bowl 50 champion with the Denver Broncos, and radio host.

“The school team and our remarkable students are the reasons Morgridge Academy is much more than a school,” said Jennifer McCullough, MA, MSEd, director of education at the school. “It is a one-of-a-kind education model where kids heal, grow, develop and learn. And it’s tuition-free for each family because of your generosity.” 

In addition to Greiner Electric, other key sponsors included: Sports Bar Sponsors Forvis Mazars and Graybar; Game Day Sponsor The Rexel Foundation; Media Sponsor Mile High Sports; Centerpiece Sponsors Colorado Auto Glass and Sabra Taylor-Smith; and Concessions Sponsor The Lighting Agency.
See the full list of sponsors.

The Hoops and Hoopla volunteer coaching lineup included: Robert Adkins, National Jewish Health; Jonathon Hillman, Forvis Mazar; Tom Tarver, Greiner Electric; Conner Cross, Visual Interest; Jerry Laflen, Greiner Electric; Ali Valencia, Graybar; Dale Farrand; Melissa McGarvin-O’Melia; Kris Wintroub, Greiner Electric; Sabra Taylor-Smith, Colorado Auto Glass.

Morgridge Academy at National Jewish Health is a unique, tuition-free day school for chronically ill students in kindergarten through eighth grades. With a dedicated team of teachers, nurses, a child advocate, and a school counselor, the students receive a quality education while learning to manage their illnesses, ultimately enabling them to return to a traditional public school setting.
 

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation delivering excellence in multispecialty care and world class research. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of children and adults with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. To learn more, visit njhealth.org or the media resources page.


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