Hoops Family Children’s Hospital, Marshall University Athletics and United Bank join together for United for Hoops program for pediatric patients

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

For the third consecutive year, Marshall University (MU) Athletics and United Bank have joined to support Hoops Family Children’s Hospital (HFCH) through the United for Hoops program. This partnership provides local pediatric patients the opportunity to serve as “Junior Captains” during each home game of the 2024 football season.

Front row: Sara Schultz-Britt, MHN Foundations; Junior Captains MJ, Ava, Jayden, William, Jadyn, Paisleigh; and Allison Scott, United Bank Communications Specialist; Back row: Christian Spears, Marshall University Athletics Director and members of the Marshall University Dance Team

The 2024 Junior Captains are:

• MJ, a three-year-old pediatric oncology patient with a Wilms Tumor in his kidney, will serve as the Junior Captain for the Aug. 31 home game vs. Stony Brook. After going through extensive treatment to eliminate the tumor, he recently celebrated with a bell-ringing ceremony. MJ is a sweet little boy who loves his four siblings. He also enjoys playing with his Ninja Turtles and Spiderman.
• Jayden, a 10-year-old pediatric patient diagnosed with a brain bleed, will serve as the Junior Captain for the Sept. 28 home game vs. Western Michigan. After experiencing a significant headache while at school, Jayden was rushed to Hoops Family Children’s Hospital where they discovered a large mass behind his left eye. After having surgery to remove a piece of his skull, he continues to have physical therapy to gain strength. Jayden loves Spiderman, Minecraft and Legos.
• William, a five-year-old pediatric patient with spina bifida and cystic fibrosis, will serve as the Junior Captain for the Oct. 5 home game vs. App State. William loves to wrestle with his dad and younger brother. He also enjoys playing with dinosaurs, cars, basketball and tee ball. William wants to talk to every stranger and pet every dog. He loves football because of their “big gear”!
• Jadyn, a 21-year-old pediatric oncology patient with Stage 4 lymphoma, will serve as the Junior Captain for the Oct. 17 home game vs. Georgia State. While receiving treatment she continued to attend school, held a job, and even frequented the gym. According to staff, Jadyn is always willing to offer support to the other pediatric oncology patients and serves as an excellent example of maturity and resilience.
• Ava, a nine-year-old pediatric orthopedic patient, will serve as the Junior Captain for the Nov. 2 home game vs. University of Louisiana Monroe. She broke her leg while skateboarding, but that hasn’t slowed her down. She is an avid volleyball player, and even attends the MU volleyball camp. She loves to play Xbox and spend time with her friends.
• Paisleigh, a 10-year-old pediatric oncology patient with Stage 2 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, will serve as the Junior Captain for the Nov. 16 home game vs. Coastal Carolina. Paisley has five brothers and two sisters. She enjoys playing softball, riding her side-by-side, playing with makeup, like many young girls, and shopping. 

Each junior captain will be a guest of honor during a scheduled MU football practice where they will receive a tour and have an opportunity to meet the team before the game. Throughout the 2024 football season, United Bank has pledged to donate $10 for every point that MU scores, benefiting the patients of HFCH.

To learn more, visit www.mhnfoundations.org/unitedforhoops.