The Chicago Hoop Squad Youth Basketball Organization was started in 1970 and remains located in and around the Englewood neighborhood in the city of Chicago. The Chicago Hoop Squad Youth Basketball Organization, with its group of dedicated role models, professionals, former Englewood residents and volunteers, mentor the youth that participate in the organization on education, discipline, personal hygiene, character building, value orientation, and social responsibility.
Richard Ware started the Hoop Squad in the early 1970s when he returned from the Air Force as a way to get street gang members to get along, and to help them make better decisions in their lives. Today the program is also run by Ware's younger brother John Tribble. By day, John Tribble works for the city of Chicago, and on weekends, he runs the Chicago Hoop Squad. From picking up and driving the kids to practice, and taking them on road trips to various AAU tournaments, Tribble and his coaches put in a lot of time and effort - and a lot of their own money - to help the boys."It's about keeping them out of gangs and getting them into college," Tribble says.
To do that, Tribble and the others are seeking support from generous donors, and corporate sponsorships, like their recent one from Moo & Oink. The famous meat company helped buy new uniforms for the team a couple of years ago, and continue to provide support to keep the organization going. Money from the sponsorship and other committed donors helps pay for hotel rooms when the team is on the road, gas for the many vehicles that drive them there, entry fees to the various AAU tournaments the boys play in, and of course food for the road trips.
"It takes a lot to keep a team of athletes fed on the road," Tribble says. But he finds a way to do it every year.
This year, Famous Dave's also helped support the team, catering their annual banquet at the Salvation Army Hall on the west side. Other frequent supporters include Painter's District Council #14 and The Salvation Army.
Alums of the program stay in touch with Ware & Tribble, and they will both point with pride to the large number of successful college graduates, businessmen, attorneys, clergymen and more that have been helped by their program.
The benefit to the boys is obvious, and the benefit to the community of Englewood is immeasurable. Many of the alums go on to give back to the community themselves, creating an ongoing circle of community improvement.