Sneakers have always been a part of the basketball community, whether it’s on or off the court. For George Kiel, it’s a way of expressing a legacy of a loved one. George is the editor-in-chief of the most influential sneaker blog, Nice Kicks. In 2013, his mother Debra Kiel was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. Shortly after her diagnosis, Ms. Kiel passed away.
Ever since Debra Kiel’s passing, George has been spreading awareness of colon cancer through an experience unseen in the basketball community. These events highlight not only the skills of the participants but also the sneakers. The Kiel Colon Cancer Foundation puts on these events in numerous locations. These events include open-gyms and a headliner, Kick & Roll Classic.
The open-gyms are open to the public, signing up via the website and capping out at 40 participants. Each open-gym has a different theme. The theme suggests that each participant donates an item in reference to the theme. In addition, George hands out awards for the best sneaker, MVP, and who donated the most. So far, the open-gyms have taken place in Austin, San Antonio and Houston. George plans on more in the future including outside of Texas.
George Kiel’s diamond-status event is the Kick & Roll Classic. The Kick & Roll Classic is a 3-on-3 tournament that takes place at the Round Rock Sports Center just north of Austin, Texas. The tournament has two age divisions, one including high school athletes and the other is 18 and older. The winners receive an awesome bag of swag. In addition to the winners of the tournament, there are prizes for participants with the best sneakers in numerous categories and the MVP of the tournament.
These events are more than just playing basketball and stunting with respective sneaker collections. George Kiel builds time into each event to build awareness of colon cancer and educates the participants on prevention of the disease.
Recently, I attended the last open-gym of 2015. I’ve attended both Kick & Roll Classics since its 2014 inception, and all Austin open-gyms. George Kiel is a great friend of mine and I want to support him every chance I get.
This last open-gym was in San Antonio and had the “KCCF Christmas Tree” theme. These theme required participants to bring gift cards for Academy Sports and Dick’s Sporting Goods in any dollar amount. This event had over 100 spectators including 40 participants at the Antioch Sports Complex in San Antonio, Texas. Peep the photo gallery below and the recap video of the event.
[album albumId="450041"]
Ever since Debra Kiel’s passing, George has been spreading awareness of colon cancer through an experience unseen in the basketball community. These events highlight not only the skills of the participants but also the sneakers. The Kiel Colon Cancer Foundation puts on these events in numerous locations. These events include open-gyms and a headliner, Kick & Roll Classic.
The open-gyms are open to the public, signing up via the website and capping out at 40 participants. Each open-gym has a different theme. The theme suggests that each participant donates an item in reference to the theme. In addition, George hands out awards for the best sneaker, MVP, and who donated the most. So far, the open-gyms have taken place in Austin, San Antonio and Houston. George plans on more in the future including outside of Texas.
George Kiel’s diamond-status event is the Kick & Roll Classic. The Kick & Roll Classic is a 3-on-3 tournament that takes place at the Round Rock Sports Center just north of Austin, Texas. The tournament has two age divisions, one including high school athletes and the other is 18 and older. The winners receive an awesome bag of swag. In addition to the winners of the tournament, there are prizes for participants with the best sneakers in numerous categories and the MVP of the tournament.
These events are more than just playing basketball and stunting with respective sneaker collections. George Kiel builds time into each event to build awareness of colon cancer and educates the participants on prevention of the disease.
Recently, I attended the last open-gym of 2015. I’ve attended both Kick & Roll Classics since its 2014 inception, and all Austin open-gyms. George Kiel is a great friend of mine and I want to support him every chance I get.
This last open-gym was in San Antonio and had the “KCCF Christmas Tree” theme. These theme required participants to bring gift cards for Academy Sports and Dick’s Sporting Goods in any dollar amount. This event had over 100 spectators including 40 participants at the Antioch Sports Complex in San Antonio, Texas. Peep the photo gallery below and the recap video of the event.
[album albumId="450041"]