The annual Adam Ward Classic is back this February with another amazing schedule of prep games. Once again, boys and girls basketball contests will take place over two days, Friday and Saturday, February 2 and 3.
“Each year we have tried to take steps to improve the event for the fans and the competitors,” said Grant Smythers, the Classics’ Co-Founder, and a Salem High School Teacher. “We have some quality players and teams stretching all the way from Carroll County to Rockingham County this year, so it should be very entertaining.”
Since 2016, Salem High School, the Western Virginia Basketball Officials Association, and the City of Salem have joined forces to honor the memory of Adam Ward by hosting this roundball classic in his honor. Adam was tragically taken from us on August 26, 2015, while working as a photojournalist for WDBJ7. The 2007 Salem High School alumnus, who graduated from Virginia Tech in 2011, played football at Salem High School and was an avid fan and supporter of all types of athletic events.
"Adam Ward personified the true meaning of a student-athlete,” Smythers said. “He was a huge sports fan, who loved high school basketball, and we think he would be pleased with the way we are carrying on his legacy in Salem by paying it forward.”
To date, the Adam Ward Classic has contributed over $90,000 dollars to the Adam Ward Scholarship Fund that is administered by the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association. In addition, the Adam Ward Classic Committee has made donations to the Make a Wish Foundation and Special Olympics in Adam’s honor.
“The money generated from this event will provide scholarship opportunities for high school students who were deemed Adam-like during their high school careers," Smythers said. “We are honored to once again host such a worthy event for such a special young man."
The event is being sponsored by various businesses and organizations throughout the Roanoke Valley. The Western Virginia Basketball Officials Association, which has supported charitable causes for decades, has been instrumental in making the event a success each year.
“This is a great way to honor Adam Ward’s memory, as well as all of the others who have been touched and affected by his passing,” said WVBOA Commissioner, Jerry Spangler. “I think Adam would be pleased we continue to make a difference with young people through the game of basketball.”
This year’s event will feature 11 different games on two days in two gyms for one amazing cause.
FRIDAY – FEBRUARY 2 – SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
6:00 p.m. Glenvar vs. Salem (Varsity Girls)
7:45 p.m. Glenvar vs. Salem (Varsity Boys)
FRIDAY – FEBRUARY 2 – GLENVAR HIGH SCHOOL
6:00 p.m. Salem vs. Glenvar (JV Boys)
7:45 p.m. Salem vs. Glenvar (JV Girls)
SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 3 – SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
10:00 a.m. Roanoke Catholic vs. Jefferson Forest (Boys)
11:45 a.m. Auburn vs. Lord Botetourt (Boys)
1:30 p.m. William Fleming vs. Carroll County (Girls)
3:15 p.m. George Wythe vs. Narrows (Boys)
5:00 p.m. Patrick Henry vs. Spotswood (Boys)
6:45 p.m. Northside vs. Radford (Boys)
8:30 p.m. Cave Spring vs. William Fleming (Boys)
ADMISSION – EACH DAY
$10 and Children Under 5 are Free.
*VHSL and school passes will not be honored for either day of this charitable event.
Thank you for your support of the Adam Ward Classic and for striving to be #AdamLike in everything that you do to make a positive difference in the lives of others!
To learn more about sponsorship or scholarship opportunities, please contact:
Grant Smythers gsmythers@salem.k12.va.us - Hank Luton HankLuton@gmail.com - Jerry Spangler jspangler1129@gmail.com - Drew Barrett dbarrett@salem.k12.va.us
Chris Williams at cjpdubya@gmail.com Jason Murray jsmurray@rcps.com