ROCKLIN, Calif. – Teams will soon be making their way to Warrior Arena for the 16th annual Bill Holtz Warrior Classic. But the weekend is about more than basketball, instead, it's about honoring the event's namesake and raising awareness for those battling ALS.
The Bill Holtz Warrior Classic honors the memory of Bill Holtz, the university's first shot clock operator for Jessup's home basketball games. Holtz passed away in 2011 after a two-and-a-half-year battle with ALS. The weekend, entering its 16th rendition aims to help those who battle the disease as well.
"Nearly a decade ago, we cared for Bill Holtz, who was affected by ALS—also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease—and his family," says Nancy Wakefield of the ALS Association. "Our Care Services team in Greater Sacramento helped provide equipment loans, referrals to local medical professionals and support groups, and much-needed everyday support to The Holtz Family along with the other 300 families we continually serve in the area today."
Holtz's memory lives within Jessup Athletics. Not only does the university honor him with the annual basketball classic, but his son, Chris Holtz, can be found at just about every Jessup home game as the official statistician of the Warriors.
"My father's job in life, whether in his profession or through his involvement in the church, was to help people," says Chris. "With his passing and the continuation of this tournament in his honor, he is still helping people in whatever way occurs."
The Holtz family has continued to be a voice and advocate for those who battle ALS, hoping that one day a cure can be found. But for now, they look at this weekend as a way to give hope to anyone who personally, or through the extension of family, has been affected by ALS.
Holtz added, "On a personal level, this tournament means the world to me that my father is being honored in such a way. Going deeper, it gives me a level of satisfaction that, quite possibly, one of two things may occur. The first thing is that someone, God forbid, have ALS or their family member have ALS, and they will be able to find resources and/or tools to help them. The second thing is that someone coming to the tournament, whether it be participant or fan, may be in a medical or research field of some sort and be able to help find a cure to the hell that is ALS."
Five teams across college basketball will join Jessup this weekend in the 2022 installment of the Holtz Classic. Bushnell, Lincoln (CA), Menlo, Southern Oregon, and UC Merced will play on Horton Court over the three-day event.
The classic begins Thursday night, with Jessup's women's basketball team taking on Lincoln. Friday and Saturday will be action-packed, with three games each day, starting at noon on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday.
A special table with information on ALS will be set up inside Warrior Arena on Saturday. Fans in attendance are encouraged to stop by and see how they can help the fight for a cure. Donations can be made online at
www.alssac.org.
"The ALS Association is working endlessly towards a treatment and ultimate cure for ALS," added Wakefield. "We hope you will join us on this journey in memory of Bill Holtz and the countless others across the country who have been diagnosed with ALS."
Tickets for the 2022 Bill Holtz Warrior Classic are currently on sale
HERE. To make a donation to the
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William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).
