Hoops for Hope: Students Take the Lead for Clean Water

by Matt LeRoy | Feb 9, 2026 | Partnership

When the Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats and the Taylor University Trojans met on the court this season, the game was bigger than basketball. While they battled it out for their schools, they also teamed up to raise funds for clean water with World Hope. The longtime rivals, whose universities are located only 11 miles apart, used one of their biggest games of the season to come together and create Hoops for Hope.

The idea started with the IWU women’s team. Coach Ethan Whaley and company wanted to raise awareness concerning the global water crisis and mobilize their campus to do something about it. Then, they invited Coach Cassie Wiseman of the Taylor women’s team to join them. Rising above rivalry, the two teams became one in the shared cause. Both men’s teams joined in as well. And Hoops for Hope was born.

The players raised funds and awareness for clean water building up to the big game. They carried large water jugs around campus to represent the women and girls forced to carry heavy water cans for miles when they don’t have access to clean water. Each team decorated water cans and asked their classmates to vote via donations to determine the best design. They sold Hoops for Hope t-shirts in their school colors. And they set up a peer-to-peer campaign through World Hope’s website to make giving easy and accessible.

On the night of the big game, I had the opportunity to share the vision and mission of World Hope at halftime to a packed gym. But I also had the honor of sharing with the teams in the locker room before the game. I reminded them that on the basketball court, every play matters. Every rebound, every assist, every dive on the floor for a loose ball, they all build together to influence the outcome of the game. They may seem small in the moment, but each play creates a ripple effect of impact.

The same is true for this effort to bring clean water to those who need it. Every single dollar raised, every story told, every person who learns more about the water crisis, they all build together to influence the outcome of real lives. They may seem small in the moment, but each effort creates a ripple effect of impact.

We are grateful to the players and coaches of Indiana Wesleyan University and Taylor University. Your commitment, creativity, and compassion have made an impact. Thank you for taking a shot and creating Hoops for Hope.