Wichita, Kansas (Nov. 1, 2023) – Three Wichita organizations – Sunrise Christian Academy, Visit Wichita and the Wichita Sports Commission – are teaming up for the second time to host Air Capital Hoopfest. It is set to take place Feb. 15-16, 2024, at Garvey Gymnasium on the Friends University campus in Wichita, Kansas. Operated by Paragon Marketing, the two-day boys basketball showcase will feature four of the top high school basketball programs in the country.
“The four teams set to compete in the Air Capital Hoopfest represent the highest level of high school basketball in the country, and we are lucky to have one of those schools, Sunrise Christian Academy, right here in Wichita. We are thrilled to cheer them on in the second edition of the Air Capital Hoopfest,” said Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita. “It’s a great opportunity for locals and basketball fans in the region to see top-notch talent and high-quality basketball on the court in the Wichita community.”
Sunrise Christian Academy Head Coach Kyle Lindsted says the tournament is a great opportunity to bring together four talented teams in the academy’s home city of Wichita. “I’m excited to have such a talented field of teams and players in this year’s Air Capital Hoopfest. It is an honor for us to host such a high-level basketball event in our city, and we are excited to represent our school and our community.”
In addition to Sunrise Christian Academy, other teams playing in the tournament include Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah), Veritas Academy (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Link Academy (Branson, Mo.).
“The Air Capital Hoopfest is going to be two amazing days of basketball competition,” said Kevin Jenks, president/CEO of the Wichita Sports Commission. “Kyle Lindsted and his squad at Sunrise Christian Academy are one of the nation’s elite basketball schools, and we are proud to partner with them and Visit Wichita to bring top level high school hoops to Wichita.”
Rob Ramseyer, vice president of athletics and strategic expansion at Friends University added, “Friends University is pleased to be chosen as the host site for the 2024 Air Capital Hoopfest. The opportunity to bring this type of basketball to our campus and our newly renovated athletic facility is an honor for us. We are pleased to welcome Coach Lindsted and the Sunrise squad to our campus along with other highly respected programs.”
The broadcast partner and details regarding ticket sales will be announced at a later date.
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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the Greater Wichita area and advocates for the city as a destination, increasing travel and tourism as a key economic driver for the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2022 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.5 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
About the Wichita Sports Commission
Since 1997, the Wichita Sports Commission has facilitated more than 650 events in the Wichita area with a combined economic impact of over $550 million. The Sports Commission also owns and operates annual events including the: Prairie Fire Race Series, NBC Baseball Foundation and NBC World Series, the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet featuring the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, Wichita Corporate Challenge and annual Wichita Turkey Trot. The Sports Commission provides the experience and expertise in sports marketing and event management that has established the region as a sports destination.
About Athletics at Friends University
Friends University Athletics seeks to provide a holistic experience for its students-athletes. Our goal is to provide an environment where our students graduate, cultivate their character, explore and/or grow in their faith, engage in our community, and win.
About Paragon Marketing Group
Paragon Marketing Group is a corporate consulting agency specializing in sports, entertainment and cause related sponsorships. Paragon has collaborated with ESPN over the past 18 years to deliver over 700 live high school sports telecasts featuring many of the top teams and players in the nation. Paragon collaborates with ESPN on the ESPN High School Basketball Showcase, GEICO High School Basketball Nationals and others.
