When the inaugural Chicago Hoops Classic was held, organizers were just hoping to establish an LGBT basketball tournament that would survive a few years.
Well, that was 20 years ago and though the event’s name was changed about five years ago—to the Coady Roundball Classic, in honor of founder Sam Coady—it remains the largest and longest-running LGBT hoops tournament.
The 20th annual Coady, as it’s commonly called, was recently held at the University of Illinois-Chicago. The Coady is sanctioned by the National Gay Basketball Association (NGBA) and serves as the NGBA’s championship tournament.
There were three divisions this year; the inaugural event had only one.
“Time sure seems to go by quickly; it doesn’t seem like 20 years,” said Coady, one of three (with Mark Satre and Mark Chambers) who have played in all 20 tournaments.
Coady founded and ran the event for the first 13 years. Ted Cappas has run the last seven, although he’s stepping down and handing the reigns of tournament director to Jeff Edmonds and Steve Waldron.
“The seven years that I have run it, wow, there have been a lot of ups and downs dealing with all of the headaches that go with an event of this size. There’s also a great sense of satisfaction that goes with it, especially that first hour of the first day when all of the teams arrive [at the gym] and start playing,” Cappas said. “It’s been such a great event, so well attended. It’s grown so much over the years that we know it’s had a positive affect on our community.
“Since this is my last year running it, it’s kind of bitter sweet. I won’t miss all of the work that goes into putting it together, but I will miss the sense of accomplishment for being part of such a great event, playing a sport that I love with a lot of guys who I have known for a lot of years.”
The concept for the tournament came from the fact that Coady often played in softball tournaments, had fun in them, and yet there was no such basketball tourney.
The first Chicago Hoops Classic spawned from Chicago’s LGBT basketball league, which, at the time, had only four teams with five gay players each. Today, Chicago boasts 18 teams in the men’s basketball league and more in the women’s league.
“We wanted to start this tournament for people with a passion for basketball and a way to be connected to the LGBT community,” Coady said.
The tournament has been held at multiple gyms over the years, including Margate and Clarendon fieldhouses.
The inaugural Chicago Hoops Classic featured eight teams, and it was run like a softball tournament: double elimination, “which didn’t make sense at all,” Coady admits. “We’ve learned a lot over the years.”
The 2010 Coady featured a record 35 teams and 300 players representing Washington D.C, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Houston, New York, London, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, San Francisco and many other cities.
“Everyone now realizes that, if they come to Chicago, they will play against the most teams, the best teams, the best players,” Cappas said.
More than 100 players who have participated in the event have played college basketball, organizers said.
“When we first started, we never thought it would grow to be this big,” Coady said. “Early on, I think we all wanted to make sure it succeeded for other people. Then, after a few years, you do it because it’s the right thing and you know how to do it. Then, after the eighth year, you think what the heck am I doing this for [because of all the hard work needed], but you keep doing it and want to keep doing it.”
The event also has been held at Broadway Armory for a few years, and even at DePaul University.
“I think the event breaks down stereotypes, no different than the Gay Games. You come to the Coady Classic and it’s really high level games,” Cappas said. “We’ve had players who have won ‘Mr. Basketball’ honors in their [home] states; others have played at the collegiate level; others have played professionally overseas. Some have played in high school or intramurals, and still others have never played before.”
“When people repeatedly come up to you and thank you for [running] a great tournament, it really is a great feeling,” Cappas said. “For me, the most gratifying moment is that first hour on Saturday when the gym is packed and all five courts are going. That’s an amazing feeling because so much work had gone into it at that point. It’s a great atmosphere.”
The Coady was not held in April 2006 due to the Gay Games, which were held that July in Chicago. Instead, the Coady was part of the Gay Games—and more than 80 teams battled for bragging rights. “That was a real sense of accomplishment, given how big the event was,” Cappas said.
“There have been great games and great players. More than that, great memories.”
Organizers named the all-time all-tournament team April 17.
“One year, we lost use of the gym three weeks before the event started. We still were able to find a place and everything worked out,” Coady said. “Many [players] have found life partners [at the event;] others have gotten a new job through basketball connections [gained at the event.] Others have successfully battled suicide thoughts through positive experiences at the event
“I think the event has been a pretty powerful, successful event for our community.”
Cappas added: “To have the foresight to start a tournament 20 years ago, and then to run it for 13 years, it’s mind-boggling. I’ve run it for seven and can’t imagine doing it for another six. After the 14th year, we just thought changing the name would be an ideal way to honor Sam for the work he’s done. I know it was the right thing to do.”
Here’s a look at the 2010 inductees into the Coady Roundball Classic Hall of Fame:
1. Scott Demer (Long Beach)
2. Mark Johnson (California)
3. Nenad Markovich (Chicago)
4. Herald Kane (honorary)
5. Tim Francis (Washington D.C.)
6. Ted Cappas (Chicago)
Here’s a look at the all-time all-tournament team, announced April 17:
1. Daryle Morgan—San Francisco
2. Mark Chambers—Long Beach Rebels
3. Steve Perry—Long Beach Rebels
4. Martin Williams—Chicago, San Francisco
5. Kyle Jorde—Minneapolis
6. Rhea Taylor—San Francisco, Los Angeles
7. Gabe Caldwell—Los Angeles
8. Jamel Lewis—San Francisco
9. Mike Survillion—San Francisco
Here are the results from the championship games of the 2010 Coady Roundball Classic:
A Division:
San Francisco Rock Dogs 48
Long Beach Rebels 47
B Division:
Sidetrack Chicago 56
Chicago Spin 42
B2 Division:
San Francisco Shock 59
Roadhouse 66 50
B3 Division:
All City Ballers 68
Chicago Triple Threat 59
C Division:
Chicago KP’s 36
Salt Lake Hardwood 33