Hoops for a Cause still finds a way to help

COVID-19 has certainly thrown a wrench into the summer camp circuit for basketball, football and volleyball. And that included Montana State University-Northern head women's coach Chris Mouat's Hoops for a Cause Camp, which he started four years ago, and which has circulated around the state the last three summers, raising money and awareness for different good causes.

Now, Mouat has figured out a way to continue the tradition, though this one won't be held inside a gym.

Mouat announced Wednesday that coaches from the entire Frontier Conference will be hosting a free virtual coaches clinic (donations welcome) on Zoom July 29-30 as this year's Hoops For A Cause event. Every coach from the league's six men's and women's teams will be presenting for 30 minutes on one of the two nights, including Mouat and Northern men's head coach Shawn Huse.

Hoops For A Cause, now in it's fourth year, has helped raise money for worthy causes throughout the Frontier Conference through the work of players and coaches in the league. This year, the cause is Finnley Grace Foster, a 5-year-old girl who has had to deal with major medical issues for her entire life. Finnley is the daughter of Pat Foster, a Hi-Line native, and Katie Whitmore. Pat has been a longtime high school and college official in Montana, and officiated Frontier Conference men's and women's games for five seasons.

"Finnley has had a really tough go," Mouat said. "She's dealt with major surgeries (including two bone marrow transplants) and has been in and out of hospitals literally her entire life. She's a very tough kid who, no matter what the circumstances, puts a smile on her face. Her situation has put a very difficult burden on her parents as well. I think hers is a great cause, and something that we as coaches can rally around. We are hoping that coaches around the state enjoy the clinic and gain something from it, but just as importantly, we hope to spread awareness about Finnley's battles and help support her needs moving forward."

There is a GoFundMe account set up for Finnley. Anyone wishing to contribute to her cause can find the information at http://www.gofundme.com and use the title Hoops For A Cause Supporting Finnley Grace. You can also follow her story on Facebook at Prayers for Finnley Grace.

The clinic will feature Mouat, Huse, Carroll College's Curt Paulson and Rachelle Sayers, Providence' Bill Himmelberg and Steve Keller, Rocky Mountain College's Bill Dreikosen and Wes Keller, Montana Western's Lindsay Woolley and Mike Larsen, as well as Montana Tech's Adam Hiatt and former Chester standout and head women's coach Carley VanDyke. Mouat also said that there will be some special guest appearances, though he wants those to remain a surprise.

"Every, single coach in the Frontier Conference has stepped up to help Hoops For A Cause this year," Mouat said. "To pull off a camp like we have done in the past would be unrealistic right now, so we are trying something different. Hopefully at this time next year we are getting ready to host a gym full of kids again. The clinic will be informative and fun, and definitely worth watching for coaches out there."

To register for the clinic, coaches can email Mouat at [email protected].