How Penny Hardaway and ALSAC CEO Rick Shadyac’s shared passions created the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic

Penny Hardaway first visited St. Jude as a freshman at Memphis State in 1990-91.

Tigers legend Larry Finch—Memphis’ head coach at the time—brought Hardaway and the rest of the men’s basketball team to the campus to mingle with some of the patients. The future NBA All-Star, invigorated by his experience, was in love at first sight.

“There’s a marriage between the basketball in Memphis, the University of Memphis and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” Hardaway told Bluff City Media. “This entire city understands what St. Jude does for the world. No family is paying for anything, and that’s why everyone rallies behind this mission.”

Hardaway, now the Tigers’ head coach, brought his team to the hospital 33 years later in 2023. There to greet them was Richard “Rick” Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, St. Jude’s official fundraising and awareness organization.

Shadyac, 67, has essentially dedicated his life to St. Jude and ALSAC. His father, Richard Sr., was a founding member of the ALSAC Board of Directors and a close confidant to St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. He also served as ALSAC’s CEO from 1992-2005.

Shadyac took the post in 2009, and has since led ALSAC to record-breaking achievements like garnering $2 billion in donations in 2021, the most ever for an independent charity.

But Shadyac, like most Memphians, is also immensely passionate about basketball. He even coached AAU once upon a time.

So, Shadyac and senior vice president Chris Boysen—both die-hard Tigers basketball fans—started searching for a way to get St. Jude involved with the program soon after they began working together. It didn’t take them too long for find their answer.

“We watch all these other tournaments [like the Maui Invitational or the Battle 4 Atlantis] and we go, ‘Why can’t we do one in Memphis,'” Shadyac said.

Nothing materialized for nearly 15 years, but Boysen eventually collaborated with former Memphis staffer Garrett Kelly to share their idea last November. Hardaway, as he always does when St. Jude is involved, immediately said yes.

“Penny brought the entire team here last year, and they spent hours with our patients and families. That means the world to us. And whenever we ask Penny to play in our golf tournament, come to an event or allow us to honor him, Penny always graciously accepts,” Shadyac said. “I just think it speaks volumes about the character of this man, and the amount of time that he invests into the life-saving mission of St. Jude…When he talks about St. Jude, he means it. He’s experienced it. He’s there for us answering the bell any time we call him.”

Hardaway is obviously a busy individual, so it’s somewhat easy for him to dismiss or deflect certain obligations. But his genuine nature towards St. Jude is completely effortless.

“It’s amazing because of the spirit of the hospital everywhere you go. These kids are extremely happy. They give us confidence. They’re fans of the game. They know the game. Every time I’ve visited, it’s just been a beautiful situation,” Hardaway said. “For me, it’s all love. That’s how I see it…It’s the love of the city. When you talk about St. Jude and Memphis, it’s a blend together. So, we just have to show our support.”

St. Jude officially announced last week the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic, which takes place on Oct. 15 inside FedExForum. The event, though not an in-season tournament like ALSAC envisioned, will feature two preseason exhibitions with Hardaway’s Tigers playing North Carolina (6 p.m., ESPNU) and Alex Simmons’ Lady Tigers facing South Carolina (8:30 p.m., ESPN+). Proceeds will go towards St. Jude.

Shadyac, needless to say, is exhilarated. He loves basketball, just like Hardaway loves St. Jude.

Their shared passions combined to make what could become a massive annual event for the City of Memphis. But Shadyac isn’t seeking comfort just yet.

“I’ll have that sense of pride after we successfully accomplish this. No celebration prematurely, because I’m calling on all my fellow Memphians to buy those tickets and to come out and support the Tigers against South Carolina and UNC,” Shadyac said. “It’s gonna be an absolutely fantastic event, and then we can celebrate. Then, we’re gonna take it to the next level because we want to make this a regular event every single year in a regular season kind of game or tournament, and make Memphis a destination event where people are gonna want to come play our Tigers and really have a special time in a city I love.

“I think both Penny and I want it to be a sell-out. I know it’s a preseason game, but it is the University of North Carolina, University of South Carolina and our Memphis Tigers. I wanna create great awareness. I mean, it’s gonna be broadcast on ESPN with [Hardaway’s] prominence…In all honesty, we could use a few more corporate partners to step up and help Penny and I on this amazing event, and I’m confident that they will. But I’m calling all my friends in the corporate community to support this event, because I think it’s gonna put the spotlight on St. Jude, the University of Memphis Tigers and the great things that happen in Memphis, Tennessee.”

Hardaway’s pitch for the event is a bit more succinct.

“St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and University of Memphis basketball. Enough said, “Hardaway said. “We understand what the hospital is doing. The university is a staple in the community as well. We need you guys. We know what it’s for. That should be enough for Memphis to understand.”