About
Welcome to Hoops 4 the Soul!
Thanks for visiting Hoops 4 the Soul, a blog about one man’s love for the game of basketball. This blog has been created by Chris Maynard, a 25-year-old Chicago native, 2004 graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and one-time freelance sportswriter in Raleigh, NC.
The Goal of Hoops 4 the Soul
Hoops 4 the Soul strives to detail one man’s opinions on current events on all levels of basketball without forgetting about its past. Hoops 4 the Soul will offer commentary and analysis on current issues, developments and match-ups in the game and also take a look at arguments concerning the best teams and post-seasons of all time, both on the college and professional level.
Rest assured, Hoops 4 the Soul is not about creating shock value, being another talking head or delving into fantasy sports. Rather, it will aim to creatively look at the game, and what makes it so great and frustrating at times. Hoops 4 the Soul will be more than just commentary and analysis; it will also be about stories and personal experiences in and around the game that have left lasting impressions in my life.
So if you happen to stumble upon Hoops 4 the Soul, I hope you enjoy it, post comments, link to us from your blog or Web site, and of course, spread the word to friends and family!
About the Name
Hoops 4the Soul is not about self-help like those “Chicken Soup” books, but rather captures how the game of basketball has touched my life in so many ways, since I was in biddy ball to now being an adult who can’t find a park in my neighborhood with rims to even shoot around on.
The Motto: “Take It to the Hole at Hoops 4 the Soul”
I will strive to achieve this goal by constantly being aggressive and attacking things in new, interesting and creative lights.
About the Author, Chris Maynard
I was born in Chicago in the early eighties. While baseball was the game that first drew my attention, things quickly changed when I started watching Chicago Bulls games back in kindergarten when the team was on Channel 32. At that time, the Bulls weren’t very good, but they were always interesting with a young Michael Jordan.
Immediately drawn to the game, I was lucky enough to get my first biddy basketball rim from my parents that very Christmas. A few years later, I quit playing baseball and solely concentrated on playing basketball like my idol Bulls as the team began its first three-peat. To this day, I continue to play the game whenever I can.
Upon entering the University of Illinois, I was set on the idea that I would be a sports writer or reporter. However, I quickly learned through the next four years that my interest in being a member of the media, or lack thereof, was nowhere near my love for the game of basketball.
However, before graduating with a broadcast journalism major, I was lucky enough to be a Video Services Intern for the Athletic Department at the U-of-I. For that one semester, I got an up-close view of the 37-2 Illinois Men’s Basketball team, which confirmed to me how inspiring the game still could be when played the right way.
After graduating, I moved to Raleigh, North Carolina on a whim and later caught on with a local newspaper in a freelance role. For two summers, I covered the Durham Bulls. While a great learning experience, it ultimately conveyed to me how I was not comfortable or really interested in delving into the inner workings of the modern-day locker room.
I eventually moved back to Chicago in October 2006 and work with an Internet Marketing/Web Development company downtown. I have created this blog because I certainly have an interest in online media, still care about sports (especially basketball), and want to express my appreciation for the game!
About Jeff Bartl
Jeff, who will be contributing to the site whenever he can, is the founder of ClassicAthletes.com.
I swished many of shots through Chris’ biddy basketball rim as a youngster growing up with the wanna-be Bartl in Chicago. My love for basketball began much like Chris’ — watching a young Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant bring the Chicago Bulls to new heights.
Announcing our imaginary games and faking crowd noises — much to the chagrin of our parents — I found my calling as a sports writer at a young age. After attending Michigan State, I moved to Missouri for an assistant sports editor position. I covered everything from the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals to a low-level arena football team that went bankrupt before the fourth game of the season. I had the most fun of my young career covering an independent baseball team in its inaugural season — even though the team averaged a modest 800 fans per game. It led to a story on an 81-year-old former baseball player named Jim Herbison, who’s life in service allowed him the honor of pitching batting practice to Ted Williams.
Recently, I caught on at the Chicago Tribune helping ChicagoSports.com with its Web publishing. I’m also the founder of ClassicAthletes.com, which celebrates sports memories of the past, while also tying in current sports news.
It’s my dream to see the Chicago Cubs win a World Series, but I would rather cover my beloved Michigan State Spartans later in my career. Sports is my life, and I’ll do my best to share my love of the games with the readers of Hoops 4 the Soul.
