MICDS Basketball Team Embodies “Staying Sager Strong” with Annual SagerStrong Shootout
The Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS) basketball team in St. Louis, Missouri is “staying #SagerStrong” by hosting its 3rd Annual SagerStrong Shootout on December 14. The basketball event features five local high school boys’ varsity basketball teams from Missouri versus five teams from metro eastern Illinois. All of the proceeds benefit the SagerStrong Foundation to help fund clinical trials and cancer research for Leukemia and other blood cancers.
The shootout was the idea of the former MICDS’ boys’ basketball coach who was introduced to Craig Sager through former NBA player, Doc Rivers. Although the coach left MICDS earlier this year, the school’s athletic administrators decided to continue the shootout. According to Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Basketball Coach Marshall Newman, “All of the coaches and players knew who Craig Sager was, and loved his work on the sidelines each week. It’s a worthy cause and this community gets behind a lot of great causes.”
During its inaugural year, the shootout featured four games but grew to the current five game set up the following year. The event’s popularity has grown so much that there is a team wait list this year. Over 2,000 people have attended the shootout in the past. It is always held on the second weekend in December, around the anniversary of Craig’s passing.
The all-day event is fun and competitive. The coaches wear colorful jackets and pants in honor of Craig. Newman told the MICDS new head coach to “find yourself an outrageous sports coat!” Although it’s a fun event, the coaches and players take it seriously, since it is part of their basketball season and is recorded in their standings. It’s a win-win for the spectators who are treated to some competitive basketball games, while giving back to a good cause.
Newman believes this year will be the tournament’s biggest year yet. The MICDS Rams return almost their entire roster from last year, and should have a great season. They play the Eagles of Columbia in game 4 of the shootout.
Admission is $5 at the door and donations are accepted. Tip-off is at noon with the final game starting at 6 pm.
Thank you, MICDS athletic program and your community, for emboding the “staying Sager strong” spirit to help raise awareness for blood cancer – we truly appreciate you!
