WATKINS PARK NASHVILLE - GETS HOPE
COURT RENOVATION
JUNE 15TH, 2023
Hoopbus teamed up with Vanderbilt University, Metro Parks and Rec and Pepsi to help renovate the Watkins Park basketball court.
Last week we unveiled the newly design court at Watkins Park in Nashville. With the theme of HOOPS AND HOPE celebrating Black History and Community by shinning light on the story of their local legend Perry Wallace.
As for the court, it honors the late Perry Wallace, a member of Vanderbilt University Men’s Basketball and the first Black player in the Southeastern Conference. Wallace made history in a game against Southern Methodist University by becoming the SEC’s first African American basketball player to compete in a varsity game. He was a civil rights activist and Vanderbilt University Vice Chancellor said
“Perry Wallace stood for all that’s good in each of us.”
Wallace grew up playing on Watkins court and built his trust and legacy on this court.
The unveiling celebration involved a ribbon cutting ceremony, free youth clinic for kids hosted by streetball legends Randy Gill aka “White Chocolate”. An all star dunk show that wowed everyone along with games, music to get your grooving and local food for the whole community to enjoy!
Special thanks to our amazing court renovation team; Victor Corral, Trevor Weigh, and all the volunteers who helped make it possible. Their talent to blending art, basketball, storytelling really help make HOPE in our history for communities coming together.
A big thank you to everyone involved who helped us tell Wallace’s story and dunk with HOPE in our hearts!
Love ya Nashville!
All photos taken by Tyler Thompson
HOT OFF THE PRESS
· Main Street Nashville : Renovated basketball court honors history of North Nashville, brings community together - Main Street Media of Tennessee (mainstreetmediatn.com)
· WSMV TV (NBC) : North Nashville basketball court dedicated to Perry Wallace (wsmv.com)
o MSN: North Nashville basketball court dedicated to Perry Wallace (msn.com)
· Nash Today : Vanderbilt University, Metro Parks unveil a new basketball court in North Nashville - NASHtoday (6amcity.com)
· Black Hot Fire Network : Vanderbilt Athletics | Vanderbilt, Partners Open New Community Basketball Court in North Nashville – Black Hot Fire Network
