Hoop contest to benefit ALS

The fourth annual Ernie Wallengren Memorial Hoopfest, to raise money for ALS research, will be Sat., May 12 at Calabasas High School, 22855 W. Mulholland Hwy. in Calabasas.

The tournament will feature teams comprised of women, men, children and mixed teams, including a team captained by Mark Wallengren of the KOST-FM Mark and Kim Show. Players can enter singly or in teams.

Entry fee is $50 per player, $20 for students.

In addition to the games, there will be a silent auction, three-point shooting contest and prizes.

Ernie Wallengren left his career as a writer/producer of television series such as "The Waltons" and "Baywatch" to form a basketball league which was open to all children in the west San Fernando Valley, regardless of whether they had the ability to pay for fees, uniforms or travel expenses. He coached his team, the Blue Eagles, first standing, then from a wheelchair after he developed ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

He continued to travel with his team to all their games whether local or out of town, even after he became paralyzed. After his death, the ALS Association established a research fund in his name. The basketball tournament, run by fellow coaches, is dedicated to raising money for the fund.

For more information or to register, call Russell White at (818) 770-6890 or visit www.dreamsdontdie.org.