Tanakaholics Triumph in 31st Annual Dr. Ives Basketball Tournament

The Tanakaholics defeated Tanaka-Nation 52-35 to win the 31st Annual Dr. Ives Basketball Tournament at the ARC Pavilion on January 25.  It was the second straight Ives Tournament championship for the Tanakaholics, capping off a day of furious competition against the Dobris Darlings, Learned Hand, Boutin, Tanaka-Nation, How's Our Driving, and the Barack O'Ballers.

Named for Eric Iverson '79, who according to legend jumped over three defenders to toss in a spectacular scoop shot at the buzzer to win the first tournament's championship game, the annual competition has become a King Hall tradition.  Iverson's team, Learned Hand, has participated in every Ives tournament since 1978, with this year's squad featuring Jan Raymond ‘79, Joe Martinez ‘84, Robert Christopher ‘79, David Price ‘79, Richard Archibald ‘80, John Dresslar ‘79, Michael Lee '79, Michael Pollak ‘79, and Craig Meyers ‘95.

This 2009 competition brought about 60 King Hall students and alumni to the ARC Pavilion hardwood.  Among the throng in attendance were Professor Clay Tanaka, sponsor of both Tanakaholics and Tanaka-Nation, and Steve Boutin '72, sponsor of Boutin.  Professor Dylan Malagrino competed in the tournament, helping How's Our Driving to the quarterfinals.  The Barack O'Ballers, a team that included Romiwa Akpala ‘06, Cory Hunt ‘06, Jon Elson '06, Dan Song ‘06, Marc Fernandez ‘07, Sherwin Aryeh ‘06, Seth Sternglanz, and Stephen Abreu ‘07, made it known that they would like to be recognized, if not for athletic talent, then for diversity.

Plans are already underway for the 2010 Dr. Ives Basketball Tournament, which is expected to be bigger and better than ever.  Sign-ups will be announced via the Law School website and King Hall Briefs email newsletter as details are finalized.