ArenaTilton

The early years

The concept of ArenaTilton dates back to June 1988, when high school basketball teammates Christopher Arena and Nathaniel Tilton conceived the idea over a round of miniature golf. The pair had been playing sports together for years, including daily pick-up basketball games in the summer at their local Kennebunk, Maine playground. For years, the Park Street court became the focal point in the development of basketball in the community. Throughout the 1970’s, 1980’s and early 1990’s, the playground, affectionately referred to as “P Street,” produced some of the area’s best basketball players.

Christopher and Nathaniel, just 16 and 15 years old at the time, theorized that it would be interesting to hold a tournament there to determine who the best players were. The game of choice: 3-on-3 basketball, a perfect combination of team and individual play, in a half-court setting. Overnight, their idea began to become a reality. The two developed the tournament format, scoring, rules and regulations. The Arena-Tilton Park Street 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament was born.

Over the next six summers the tournament grew from a mere 18 teams to well over 90. As the field of teams increased, the event quickly changed from a one-day tournament, to a two-day experience. Players from all over New England formed teams to measure their games against the best in the region. Over the years, the tournament separated itself from some of the larger, national tournaments by customizing the rules, allowing just three players per team (with no substitutes), and building the event into a true basketball experience.

Robert Arena, Sr. and Mark Sturman proved to be gregarious officials, often liberal with their game calling, the style of play became extremely physical, and helped to generate the tournament’s tagline, The Battle of a Lifetime. Their contributions to the tournament were invaluable, often working long hours for the compensation of just a sandwich and a soda.

The tournament had elements that were core to the survival of the event, but the organizers continued to make improvements to enhance the experience for players. Sponsorships from Spalding and Pepsi enabled the tournament to grow. It also became a sanctioned NCAA event, allowing more college players to participate. Media coverage spanned local newspapers, television, and radio, even reaching the national circuit, including the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and the USAToday. While trophies were awarded for a Slam Dunk Winner, 3-point Champion, First Place Team, Second Place Team, and Most Valuable Player, most participants had an initial goal of winning a free t-shirt, by become one of the final eight teams (see Awards). Games played to determine the final eight were known as “T-Shirt Games,” and so began the ArenaTilton vernacular (see AT Speak).

By 1994, the two organizers were beginning their careers after college. Christopher graduated from Fairfield University in 1993 and Nathaniel from University of New Hampshire in 1994. It’s no coincidence that Christopher eventually worked at the NBA offices in New York City, while Nathaniel worked for the Cleveland Cavaliers. As a result, however, the tournament went on hold until 1996, when the two reunited for something different: a golf tournament. They brought their family and friends together for a two-team event, TeamArena vs. TeamTilton. The sport had changed, but the experience of ArenaTilton only grew.

Golf tournament begins

In 1998, ArenaTilton celebrated its 10th anniversary, but then went on hiatus again in 1999 and 2000. After that, the event would take on new meaning. Christopher was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the summer of 2001. After successful surgery and radiation treatment, Christopher is now surviving cancer. In 2002 the tournament was held with an added charitable component, helping to raise money for cancer research through the Lance Armstrong Foundation. They expanded their reach in 2008 by creating a scholarship for a graduating senior at their alma mater, Kennebunk High school, who has been affected in some way by cancer or multiple sclerosis. In 2008, Emily O’Connell became the first recipient of this scholarship. The tournament is now run with the goal of raising money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Kennebunk High School Scholarship.

Changes to the event

Also in 2008, rather than serve as a pass-through entity for the two charities and the scholarship, ArenaTilton became incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, allowing donations to be made (with tax write-offs available) directly through ArenaTilton Inc. The end goal, however, remains the same: raising money for the two charities and the scholarship.

In September 2008, ArenaTilton will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first event and 17th event overall (7 basketball, 10 golf). It is sure to be another Battle of a Lifetime. [http://www.arenatilton.com]