By: Carter Caldwell

Since 1989, Bellbrook alumnus Keith McKeever (Class of 1979) has had a hand in putting together the Alumni Basketball Tournament, a round robin tournament open to any Bellbrook alumni who participated in the Men’s Basketball program.  Teams are then composed by grouping different graduating classes together into even teams, who all have a chance to compete in the finals match up where the winning team gets t-shirts and bragging rights.  In addition to being open to former basketball players, the rules of the tournament also allow for each class to play one non-basketball player, a caveat known as the Scott Robinson rule, named after a former wrestler who sought to play in the tournament.

While offering alumni a chance to rekindle their competitive spirits and relive old memories, the funds raised from the tournament also go towards a scholarship open to any Bellbrook cheerleader who has attended Bellbrook Schools from kindergarten to twelfth grade.  The scholarship is known as the Tammy Sigman Alumni Basketball Scholarship, and serves to commemorate Tammy Sigman, a Bellbrook grad who passed away in 1981.  Tammy’s brother Mark (Class of 1981) has assisted McKeever in the coordination of the tournament, as has former men’s basketball coach Perry Caldwell (Class of 1989).

Funds for the scholarship are raised not only through the participation fee, but also in donations accepted at the door and from sponsorship ads in the program.  The event usually takes place in late December, and 2018’s Tournament will be held on 23 December.  The event is played across the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District and has in the past attracted as many as 70 alumni.