History

  • “My Mom means everything to me. She has Huntington’s Disease and that’s why we started the Hoopathon. I’m not going to be sad – I’m going to do something fun, give it all I have and help find a cure.” -B.J. Viau, 1997

    The Twin Cities Hoopathon was founded in 1997 by B.J. Viau and family of Apple Valley, Minnesota. Huntington’s Disease has affected B.J.’s mother, Debbie, his grandfather and great-grandmother. BJ and his sister Emily, are also at risk. The event has grown from a small family and friends gathering, into an afternoon of 500+ people and over $40,000 raised annually.

    The Viau’s attended a Hoop-A-Thon in 1996 hosted by the HD MN chapter and after the event B.J. with his love for basketball asked Bryan, his father, if they could host their own event. The next year the Viau’s put in about two weeks of planning and told family, friends and whoever would listen to come to the event. About 50 people were in attendance and almost $6,000 raised. The Viau’s realized that if they raise that much with two weeks of planning, then next year they would add more activities and create an even more successful event.

    The second annual event was moved to Falcon Ridge Middle School in Apple Valley which had more space and opportunities for the event. Participants were encouraged to come back and bring along with them a couple people to shoot hoops. The word spread throughout the community and the 2nd event raised $10,000 and had almost twice as many participants. By 2009, over 600 were attending annually, with more than 200 shooters, and over $45,000 raised towards a cure for HD.

    In 2011, Debbie Viau lost her battle with Huntington’s disease.  The Viau’s and the rest of the Twin Cities Hoopathon volunteers and participants continue to fight Huntington’s and raise money through this amazing event in her memory.

    Read about the Hoopathon in the media