In the spring of 1989, in a kitchen in East Boca Raton, a gentleman named Joe Murphy brought three men together. Their purpose was to bring the game of “round ball” to the youth of Boca Raton. Their goal was a simple one, to teach the basics of basketball while promoting sportsmanship and teamwork. Little did Bob Mullin, Mike Doyle, and Jody Forstot imagined that what would start, as a league of 340 children in 1989, would grow to over 1350 children. That 34 teams would evolve into 120 teams those 18 gutsy girls would pave the way for over 440 girls and four coed divisions would become 9 divisions. (1 Coed, 4 boys and 4 girls divisions). And the establishment of a program for children and young adults with disabilities called High Five Basketball.
For years Boca Hoops has utilized many of the school gymnasiums within the city of Boca Raton. Boca Hoops was instrumental in the planning and the development, and the eventual construction of the Sugar Sand Park Field House, a state of the art basketball facility. This gymnasium is the cornerstone of the Boca Hoops program and our “Home Court Site” of Boca Hoops. Our Boca Hoops Tournament Championship Plaque now has a home.
BOCA HOOPS TIMELINE
1989
Joe Murphy introduces Jody Forstot, Mike Doyle and Bob Mullin; Their meeting lead to the establishment of a recreation basketball program in Boca Raton.
1990
Boca Hoops Summer Camp established Under 15 Girls Division added.
Under 13 Girls Division added.
Boca Hoops campaigns to have a field house built at Sugar Sand Park.
1994
Under 17 Boys Division added (thru 2000)
Under 15 Girls Division changed to Under 16 Girls Division
1995
Boca Hoops establishes the Palm Beach County High School Seniors All Star Basketball Games (thru 2007).
1997
Boca Hoops Spring Break Camp established.
The Ground Breaking of the Sugar Sand Park Field House, March 6th.
1998
10th Anniversary of Boca Hoops (Anniversary Logo designed by Todd Doyle)
Ribbon Cutting of Sugar Sand Park Field House, September 11th- The Home Court of Boca Hoops.
2000
Boca Hoops with programs from Wellington and Jupiter, establish the Palm Beach County Youth Travel Basketball League.
2001
The Robert Mufson Sportsmanship Award is established. Named after Robert Mufson, an original Boca Hoops coach and sponsor, who passed away after 2 year battle with cancer.
2003
15th Anniversary of Boca Hoops
Special Happy Anniversary video from ESPN "Pardon the Interruption"
2004
Instructional COED 7 year old Division added.
High-Five Basketball Program enrolls players outside the Boca Raton metropolitan area: enrollment area Hollywood to West Palm Beach.
2005
Positive Coaching Alliance of Stanford University selects Boca Hoops for "Honor the Game" Award,
2008
20th Anniversary of Boca Hoops
Special Happy Anniversary video from ESPN "Pardon the Interruption" (PTI) from Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon.
2010
Under 11 Girls Division renamed Under 10 Girls Division
Under 13 Girls Division renamed Under 12 Girls Division
Under 16 Girls Division renamed Under 15 Girls Division
2012
Boca Hoops establishes permanent team, Mullin's Hoopster's, named after Boca Hoops Co-Founder, Bob Mullin.
2013
Boca Hoops establishes The Academy, a training program to teach the skills of basketball.
2017
The Boca Hoops High Five 15th Anniversary The Boca Hoops High Five Program receives the 2017 Palm Beach County Medical Society Services Heroes in Medicine Award for Community Outreach Heroes.
2019
Today's @mossconstruct Community Champion, @PositiveCoachUS, is dedicated to transforming the youth sports culture into a Development Zone where all youth and high school athletes have a positive, character-building experience that results in Better Athletes and Better People. pic.twitter.com/3Z2gQhEExW
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 3, 2019