A program with roots dating back almost 80 years is still providing opportunities to youth across the country, including in our own community. The Vernal Elks Lodge invites local youth that will be ages 8 to 13, as of April 1, 2026, to this year’s Hoop Shoot. For those that don’t know, the Hoop Shoot is a free-throw contest where each contestant will shoot 25 free throws and whoever makes the most in each category will advance to the state competition in January. The first free throw contest connected with the Elks was in 1946. The program grew and held its first national finals for boys in 1972 and invited girls to join the competition in 1974. “The local lodges host the event, and winners of each age group move on to the state tournament, while those winners move on to nationals,” shares Angie Cook with the Vernal Elks Lodge. “It’s actually quite a beautiful program for these kids to earn scholarships.” This free competition is happening in Vernal on November 15th at the Rec Center on South Vernal Avenue. Registration begins at 8am and the event starts at 9am. For more information, call Todd at 435-790-0147.
