FORT WORTH – The UT Arlington men's and women's basketball teams continued a long tradition of Mavericks' student-athletes and staff giving back to the community as the programs put on their second-annual Hoops for Troops clinic presented by TD Ameritrade this past Saturday at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base.

Mavs' players, coaches and staff conducted the clinic, which featured nearly 100 elementary school-aged children from area military families. Participants took part in a variety of activities designed to teach the game of basketball and create an environment of fun and entertainment.
 
"This is our second-annual Hoops for Troops, and any time we have an opportunity to give back to our military members we do whatever we can," said TD Ameritrade Director Dusty Sargent. "This is one of our biggest initiatives of the year; throughout the year leading up to the event we had countless parents ask us if we were going to host the event again – so we're very proud to sponsor it for a second year in a row."
 
The day began with quick remarks from TD Ameritrade representatives, and men's basketball coach Chris Ogden and women's basketball coach Krista Gerlich. Children then partook in six separate stations where they learned various skills from UTA players and coaches before they signed autographs to conclude the event.
 
"It was a great time, and you saw that with the passion and energy our players had," added Ogden. "I love being able to help spread and grow the game to children. It was a great day for a great group of deserving people."
 
The event was organized and sponsored by TD Ameritrade, a corporate partner of UTA Athletics, and Maverick Sports Properties. Each attendee received a specially-designed t-shirt, a UTA-branded basketball and two tickets to the men's and women's military appreciation games (sponsored by TD Ameritrade) on Saturday, Jan. 26 (women) and Saturday, Feb. 23 (men).
 
"It's so much fun for our players to be able to come out and interact with the kids and teach them how to have fun playing the game," commented Gerlich. "I love that we are to give back to our military families who have sacrificed so much for us."
 
The UTA basketball teams began conducting official practices last week in advance of the upcoming season. The women will tip off their season with an exhibition contest at the College Park Center on Monday, Nov. 5, against Texas Woman's University, while the men officially begin their season the next day, Nov. 6, at the CPC versus UT Tyler. Those contests lead up to a Homecoming doubleheader on Nov. 10 as the women will open against Jackson State at 2:30 p.m. before the men take on traditional mid-major power Northern Iowa at 7 p.m.

Single-game ticket sales begin on Friday, Oct. 12, and additional information will be posted this week on UTAMavs.com.