Innovation

In 2016, Hoop Heaven partnered and collaborated with the Junior National Basketball Association (NBA) to provide its facility participants with the opportunity to work alongside 30-40 members of the 2017 Rookie Class. The summer program was introduced to accelerate the growing basketball culture across the region and to inspire the facility’s current members to train and work hard to one day make up the roster for the Junior NBA. Moreover, the implementation of mentoring from the Junior National Basketball Association is the proper way to inculcate new techniques and formations into coaching sessions that will help boost the skill sets of future talent. The Junior NBA also advised students to get active outside of the facility to increase stamina and athletic ability. Aside from inspiring the students to grow as an athlete, importantly, the members of the Junior NBA advised the facility’s students to partake in and practice healthy lifestyles and to expand their knowledge about healthy eating and the grave side effects of neglecting one’s health. The Junior NBA players provided the youth with testimonials about the significance of vaccines and numerous ways to prevent oneself from becoming sick. Since the initial summer program, Hoop Heaven tries to schedule this program every summer religiously. The efforts of the program meet the following UN Sustainable Goals: Partnership to Achieve Goals and Health and Well-being.

Moreover, Hoop Heaven, in light of recent businesses going paperless, has also gone completely paperless to do their part in fighting climate change and protect the environment. All applications and fees are completed and submitted online to new Hoop Heaven website to expedite the process and to keep online records of all transactions and applications which can be easily accessible. Moreover, the facility utilizes League Apps, an application which can be accessed via computer and/or smartphone, to increase communication between coaching staff/facility administrators and parents/participants to distribute information such as game times, season schedules, practice schedules, et cetera. The facility wants to set an example for not only its participants but also the surrounding community. The facility’s decision to go paperless abides by the parameters of the UN Sustainable Goal of Climate Action and Responsible Consumption and Production.

Hoop Heaven participants at the Junior NBA partnership event

Inspiration

Owner of Hoop Heaven, Mitchell Storch, was the pragmatic force of change within the organization. Mr. Storch formulated the Junior NBA partnership to increase profits margins and to validate Hoop Heave as an emerging, yet dominating training program in the basketball industry. Since Mr. Storch has connections within the Junior NBA Leadership Council, he was able to secure the partnership and create a unique experience for Hoop Heaven participants to partake in each year. Moreover, Mr. Storch wanted to shift Hoop Heaven - Bridgewater in an environmentally-friendly direction. He denounced the use of paper and sought out alternatives to keep facility functioning at peak performance. To accelerate this shift, Mr. Storch introduced and encouraged the use of League Apps so coaching staff/facility administrators can communicate with parents/participants. Additionally, with the help of managers, Mr. Storch updated the website to handle online purchases and signups to eliminate in-person registration and payment handling altogether.

Overall impact

The short-term effect for the partnership with the Junior NBA is the awe in the opportunity to play in the same facility as the calendar year's incoming Class of Rookies. Moreover, another short-term effect is the spike in registrations following the first few weeks after the partnership since participants are impressed with the facility. Moreover, the long-term is the opportunity for the Hoop Heaven - Bridgewater coaching staff to observe how professional basketball coaches ran practices and mimic the same drills during Hoop Heaven classes and clinics.

The short-term effect for the reduction in paper usage is how daunted employees felt when utilizing the new software and interface. For instance, employees learning the new system tended to be slow and forgetful and often needed external assistance. The long term effect has been increased productivity once employees learned how to effectively navigate League Apps and the new Hoop Heaven website. Employees who work at the desk when the manager is away can prioritize daily operations to keep the business growing and not be bombarded with filing paperwork.

Business benefit

Hoop Heaven primarily focuses on the advocacy of a healthier future. The possibility of the younger generation to incorporate sports and physical exercise into their daily routine is key to building a stronger population. Participating in sports not only teaches students to be physically apt but also assists in mental development through the understanding of competitiveness, sportsmanship and decision making. Additionally, the partnership with the Junior NBA allows Hoop Heaven participants to recognize the potential of investing in a future in basketball, and this association has had a positive impact on profit margins.

Moreover, paper-free registration also pushes the goal of being a green company that saves trees in the process of reaching its clientele. The emphasis on technological advancements allow to completely dissolve the usage of paper in any form. Now, the costs allocated for paper and supplies, such as ink and printers, can now be reinvested and redistributed into basketball clinics and classes to ensure participants are getting the most for their money. Additionally, League Apps and the newly renovated Hoop Heaven website can now function as replacements for in-person paper registrations, paper schedules, and other documents.

Social and environmental benefit

One of the best proven ways to improve the society we live in is by allowing the young population to gain the opportunities necessary to succeed in life. The constant focus on academic development has negatively affected the importance and value that sports and exercise bring to society. Youngsters are finally given the correct methods to participate and discover their talents in the field of sports, opening multiple doors for future careers rather than just joining the workforce.

Moreover, individuals learn from the precedents others set, and Hoop Heaven hopes to start a precedent for its customers to follow. By reducing the facilities paper usage and increasing technology usage, Hoop Heaven is offering an environment-friendly substitute to play their part in bettering our planet in the process of reaching its clientele.

Interview

Matt McKinney, Front Desk Operations /Coach