Sean Collier Memorial Basketball Tournament Set for August, Teams Encouraged to Sign Up

CAMBRIDGE — Two north of Boston residents are inviting first responders, medical personnel and sports enthusiasts to participate in some friendly competition at the fourth annual Memorial Basketball Tournament to benefit the Officer Sean A. Collier Self Sponsor Scholarship.

Rafael Olmedo, of Wakefield, and Brian Devine, of Medford, both of whom are Board 27 International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO), are coordinating the event.

“We’re excited to host this tournament to benefit the scholarship and honor the memory and legacy of Officer Collier,” Olmedo said. “Forming the tournament was our way of contributing to the Boston Strong efforts and to show our support for the city of Boston. This has all been made possible through our love of basketball and desire to give back to the community.”

“This has always been a fun event and we look forward to bringing it back this year,” Devine said. “We’re thankful to the IAABO board members, as many of our fellow officials will donate their time and referee the games.”

WHEN

August 6-7. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

WHERE

MIT Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center, 120 Vassar St., Cambridge.

WHAT

The two-day, double elimination basketball tournament will benefit the Officer Sean A. Collier Self Sponsor Scholarship.

On April 18, 2013, MIT Police Officer Sean Collier was tragically killed by the Boston Marathon bombing suspects. His scholarship sends one MIT self-sponsored recruit through the Lowell Police Academy annually as a student officer. Officer Collier self sponsored himself through the Transit Academy in order to start his law enforcement career.

Since the tournament’s initiation in 2013, organizers have raised approximately $18,000 for the One Fund Boston, the Jimmy Fund and the Officer Sean A. Collier Self Sponsor Scholarship. Last year, they donated $5,840 to the Jimmy Fund and an additional $450 to the scholarship fund.

All proceeds from the tournament will go to the self sponsor scholarship fund. Organizers hope to raise $10,000.

The tournament is open to all first responders — police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs — along with medical, healthcare and human service employees, correctional officers, town, city, state and federal employees. Each team can include two players who do not work in those fields.

Tournament info is as follows:

$300 registration fee per team
Twelve players maximum per team (with a total of 20 teams)
$5 donation at the door for spectators. Kids get in free

Audience members will also have the chance to bid on several raffle items. Organizers are looking to partner with local businesses that would be willing to donate items to the tournament.

For registration, sponsorship inquiries, or donation of raffle items, contact Rafael Olmedo at 781-816-3536 or via email at rafaelolmedo3@gmail.com

Direct donations to the Officer Sean A. Collier Self Sponsor Scholarship can be made here.

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