• Hoops For Heroes Photo Gallery
By Cherie Smith, OVC Media Relations Intern
Those who attended this year’s OVC Basketball Championships were apart of something special. From Belmont Women’s Basketball winning their fourth consecutive championship title, not one but two NBA bound prospects, Ja Morant appearing on SportsCenter's Top 10 again, to the largest-ever OVC Basketball Tournament neutral site attendance (10,525), and appearances by Magic Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, to be there was to be apart of history.
But even more special is the veterans who were honored before the men’s semifinals and final as part of Hoops for Heroes.
The Hoops for Heroes initiative looks to honor veterans from Ohio Valley Conference schools that have served in the military. In its ninth consecutive year, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) from each member institution of the OVC selects a representative and invites them to attend at the Basketball Championships over the weekend. The veteran honored is either a current student, alumni, or a parent of an active duty military member.
One of veterans honored was Marcus VanCleave from UT Martin. A native of Dresden, Tennessee, he has recently transitioned to the civilian workforce after reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. VanCleave is a combat veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
He actually knew the person who nominated him, Porter Streator III, a football student-athlete at UT Martin, through various student organizations on campus.
“He reached out to me and wanted to honor me [for Hoops for Heroes]… It’s truly an honor. It’s really great.”
When asked about his time at the tournament, VanCleave said, “It has been absolutely flawless. From getting here to the hotel, everything is beautiful. It relives some of the stress especially bringing the family.”
His favorite moments include not only cheering on the UT Martin in the Women’s Championship Final and being the ambassador for his school, but being here with his family, with a son on the way.
The Hoops for Heroes Initiative is great vehicle to recognize those in the OVC community who sacrifice so much for our freedom.
Below is this year’s honored veterans:
Austin Peay: Albert Wiley Jr.
Belmont: Devin Campbell
Eastern Illinois: Ethan White
Eastern Kentucky: Stephanie Luteyn
Jacksonville State: James Strickland
Morehead State: Bradley Williams
Murray State: Austin Ackman
Southeast Missouri: Alex Greene
SIUE: Courtney Tavernor
Tennessee State: Michelangelo McCallister
Tennessee Tech: Danny Crawford
UT Martin: Marcus VanCleave