10/19/2025
Back in the day, Hoop It Up at the MEFSEC now known as the Lynette Woodard Recreation Center was more than just basketball. It was a movement. A gathering place where the community came alive, where kids from every side of town came together to compete, connect, and grow.
Hoop It Up gave young people structure, pride, and purpose. It kept kids active and out of trouble, while teaching discipline, teamwork, and leadership. It wasn’t just about the game it was about life. Coaches, parents, mentors, and community leaders poured into the youth, showing them that their talent mattered and that they belonged to something bigger.
The atmosphere was electric families in the stands, music in the air, and neighborhoods united around something positive. For many, it was their first taste of community pride and what it meant to represent Wichita the right way.
Now, as we look at today’s generation, the spirit of Hoop It Up is exactly what we need again safe spaces, positive energy, and programs that bring the community back together. The Lynette Woodard Center continues to stand as a symbol of hope, legacy, and opportunity a reminder that greatness can come from anywhere when the community stands behind it.
Let’s keep that same energy alive investing in our youth, rebuilding community bonds, and making sure the next generation knows they can win on and off the court.
