Senior 3-on-3 basketball players benefit from work of SRU students
SLIPPERY ROCK — The students got to experience organizing, planning and marketing an event.
The women got to play basketball.
It all came together recently during the annual Rivalry at The Rock seniors 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Slippery Rock University’s Aebersold Student Recreation Center. The tournament was organized and run by SRU’s Sport Management and Ethics Class.
It also served as a qualifying tournament for the National Senior Games, slated for July 24 through Aug. 4 of 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. There were 18 teams and 128 players participating in the event.
“Our students have been working on this event for 14 weeks,” SRU faculty member Roberta Abney said. “It’s an effective project because the students get to experience all aspects of what it takes to make an event like this happen.
“There are a lot of volunteer hours involved and they get to seer how other people benefit from their work.”
Senior Olympics of Western Pennsylvania (SOWPA), based out of the Butler Cubs Hall, had four teams in the tournament, one each in the 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and 65-69 age divisions. Teams and players also came in from Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland and Michigan. One woman came up from Texas to play.
Emily Li, a committee co-chair, described the women on the court as “inspiring. I’m excited just watching them play.
“I’ve learned a lot about marketing and networking through this project. It’s amazing what can get done when people work together.”
Ethan McMaster, another committee co-chair, admitted to being surprised at the quality and hard-nosed play by the women.
“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to see much, considering their age and all,” he said. “But these women know the game and they can play. It’s been rewarding helping to put this event together. Getting sponsors, making sure all the details are covered ... It keeps you busy.”
SOWPA has been busy as well. The organization has 43 volleyball players ranging in age from 46 to 79. It had 28 basketball players competing at Rivalry at The Rock with numerous others who could not attend.
Heather Starcher and Patty Cekella both played for the Steel City UpAir, SOWPA’s entrant in the 55-59 age division.
“We have two 65-69 basketball teams , a 70 team, a 75 team ... We’re always looking for more,” Starcher said. “This is a great way to stay active, make and continue friendships.”
SOWPA was founded in 1998 by Carol McCollough, who remains active with the group. She did not play in this tournament because the organization didn’t have enough age 70-75 players to field a team.
Joy Brewer, 76, of Zelienople, is a longtime SOWPA member who now plays for a Virginia team in the tournaments.
“As you get older, teams begin to merge with each other after getting to know each other,” Brewer said. “There’s only so many players at our age still playing, so you do what you can to form a team.
“We’re all friends. I’ve known these women for years now. It’s not awkward at all.”
McCollough said: “Everyone gets along here. It’s friendly competition, but at the same time, you want to win. Nobody seems to like Connecticut because they have some former pro players on their team and they’ve been rolling through everybody.”
For the first time, Rivalry at The Rock featured a Memorial Wall that listed and had pictures of former players who have since died. A “last shot” was scheduled to be taken at the end of the tournament in honor of these past players.
Cekella, a Harmony resident, said SOWPA has added four younger teams (25-older) as a way to get women involved in their organization early.
“I’ve been part of this for years and it’s been a great experience for me,” she said.
SOWPA offers track and field and pickle ball, among other sports, with basketball and volleyball.
Anyone interested in joining SOWPA may call McCollough at 724-256-8997. The organization is based out of the Butler Cubs Hall and has volleyball practice from 8 to 10:30 a.m., basketball practice from 10:30 a.m. to noon each Saturday ... “or until everyone gets tired,” McCollough said.
