Pasadena ISD Education Foundation President Bill Barmore (left) accepts a check for $145,000 from Ben Meador, chairman of the McDonald's Texas Invitational Tournament.
Frank and Pat Braden Recognized as Tournament's Volunteers of the Year
Officials celebrated the collaborative efforts behind the McDonald's Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament on Thursday with the presentation of a check that reflected yet another successful tournament and also a promising future for grant funding of teacher projects.
Local businessman Ben Meador, chairman of the tournament, presented a check for $145,000 to Bill Barmore, president of the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation, in a ceremony at the Administration Building.
The check represented proceeds from the 2010 tournament, the biggest yet in terms of teams, venues and revenues.
Foundation funds are used to generate grants for district teachers and underwrite other education projects. Total revenue from the tournament over the past decade reached the $670,000 mark.
Meador announced that sponsor contributions for the tournament reached $205,500, a new record.
He said the 2010 tournament's economic impact in the area was a record $2 millon. The estimated impact from the 2009 tournament, Meador said, was $1.5 million.
On behalf of the tournament organizing committee, Meador and Darla Haygood, the coordinator of tournament volunteers, unveiled a new award - Volunteer of the Award.
The first recipients - Frank and Pat Braden - were presented with a plaque in appreciation for their contributions.
Ben Meador, chairman of the tournament, reports on the success of the 2010 event.
Frank and Pat Braden are recognized as the tournament's Volunteers of the Year by Ben Meador and Darla Haygood, the tournament's coordinator of volunteers.
Dr. Kirk Lewis, superintendent of the Pasadena ISD, thanks everyone involved in the tournament for their efforts and their generosity.
