Lancaster Rotary's Last F&M Tip-Off Tournament

In 1993-4, the Tip-Off Tournament, the New Year's basketball tournament at F&M, joined forces with the Lancaster Rotary and became the Rotary Club of Lancaster/Franklin & Marshall College Charitable Tip-Off Tournament.  It was headed by Rotarian and F&M athletic director Bill Marshall. In the first year of the partnership, the tournament made $1,800 and drew good crowds despite bad weather.

Until 2006, the tournament included four top men's NCAA Division III teams. In 2006, the tournament added four top women's NCAA Division III teams.  The men play in the William Marshall Tip-Off and the women play in the Terry Green Memorial Tournament. The annual tournament became called The Rotary Club of Lancaster/F&M College Charitable Basketball Extravaganza.

Proceeds from the Basketball Extravaganza benefited the United Way's Rotary Club of Lancaster Summer Youth Experience, a program that works to keep Lancaster youths engaged and productive. The Summer Youth Experience includes activities that are carefully selected to help at-risk youth bridge the gap between the end of the spring semester and the return to school in the fall. The goal is to improve children's lives and to reduce the likelihood of students dropping out of school.

As the flagship fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Lancaster, the Basketball Extravaganza raised up to $50,000 in net income yearly. Over the 40 years it existed, the event raised more than $700,000. Almost all the funds raised are returned to the local nonprofit community. In addition to the Summer Youth Experience, the event has helped to fund International Medical Relief, including eye and dental care in international locations; the Elizabeth Martin Elementary School Park; School District of Lancaster programs that encourage literacy; Rotary Youth Leadership Camp; International Youth Study Exchange; and a variety of scholarships and grants.

In 2019, the Tournament raised $33,387 for charity. Although the 2019 Charitable Basketball Extravaganza was a huge success, it was the last after a 27-year run.  The event's organizer Bill "Doc" Marshall was moving.

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