Shoes for Hoops and Hope

The Painting Party—a Shoes for Hope initiative organized by UVA fourth-year student Ben Herold— occurred in December. During the event, players and coaches from UVA’s Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams helped some talented and courageous UVA Children’s oncology patients customize 27 pairs of Nike Air Force Ones donated by the University’s Nike coordinator.

UVA coaches later sported these works of art during Men’s and Women’s home basketball games in January. It was part of an annual Coaches vs. Cancer partnership between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society.

The customized hoops shoes were up for auction during UVA Children’s annual Week of Giving, May 1-5. This included pairs worn and signed by UVA’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tony Bennett, Head Women’s Basketball Coach Amaka “Mox” Agugua-Hamilton, President Jim Ryan, and Athletic Director Carla Williams.