Hoopfest raises $107K for underprivileged Catholic school students
The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) raised about $107,000 to support partial tuition assistance scholarships for underprivileged students attending Archdiocese of Newark Catholic schools at its Founders’ 22nd Annual Hoopfest on Jan. 17 at Roselle Catholic High School.
Approximately 400 spectators braved a snowstorm to attend the beloved SFIC tradition, where they enjoyed three competitive games featuring some of New Jersey’s most talented high school basketball players. Two of the participating teams—Roselle Catholic and Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child—represented the Archdiocese, with many players being SFIC scholarship recipients. The other teams hailed from respected schools throughout the Northeast, including Thrive Charter School, The Patrick School and Great Barrington Academy.
Outside of the games, SFIC recognized the players with the highest grades on each team by presenting them with academic achievement awards. One of those players, Tyrease Hunter of Roselle Catholic, was also honored with a commemorative basketball for scoring his 1,000th point during a Jan. 3 game against the Christian Brothers Academy.
“SFIC is so grateful to everyone who supported the Hoopfest—not even the snow could keep them away!” said Dr. Michelle L. Hartman, the fund’s chief executive officer. “This was one of most exciting Hoopfests we’ve ever had. But most importantly, it raised a significant amount of money, which helps our mission of providing children with the invaluable gift of a Catholic education. Our founders, Joseph J. Oakes III and Kenneth F. Kunzman, would be proud.”
A popular tradition
An instant success when it launched in 2004, the Founders’ Annual Hoopfest continues to be one of SFIC’s most popular events, with many future NBA stars like Karl-Anthony Towns, Kyle Anderson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist participating through the years. All proceeds from the event’s ticket sales support SFIC’s partial-tuition scholarships, which benefit children from families at or below the poverty level regardless of ethnicity, gender, race or religion.
Founded in 1983 as the Fund for Educational Advancement, the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) is a nonprofit organization that provides children in need with the opportunity for a quality, values-based education in a safe environment. It offers partial tuition assistance for students from economically disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds attending private and parochial schools within Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Scholarships are based on need without regard to religion, gender, race or ethnic background. To date, SFIC has provided $53.5 million in partial tuition assistance. Applicant families must be ready to provide proof of income and intend to attend one of the schools within the four counties it serves. To learn more about SFIC and its scholarship programs, visit www.sficnj.org.
To view more images of the 2026 Hoopfest, click HERE.
Featured image: Student athletes show off their skills at the 2026 Hoopfest. (Photo courtesy of The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children)
