When Athletic Director John Catalano received a call from alumnus Zachary Bulwa (‘07) a couple years ago, Bulwa asked how he could incorporate more high school students into his Cure it on the Court Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

The idea for his foundation originated when Bulwa began shadowing pediatric oncologists at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital.

“Back when I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be a doctor but I couldn’t really contribute the way [the doctors] could,” said Bulwa, founder of the Cure it on the Court Foundation. “So I thought if I raised money to support pediatric cancer research [at] the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, it would be my way of helping these kids.”

In the summer of 2008, Bulwa asked his friends, alumni Shane Massel (‘07) and Jason Krawetz (‘07), to help organize a three-on-three basketball tournament to raise money for the  University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. After the first tournament, Bulwa asked his friends if they wanted to organize the three-on-three tournament again the following summer, and they agreed. After seeing increased participation from the first tournament to the second tournament, Krawetz said they “realized the power of what they were doing” and resolved to transition from just one event to a foundation with multiple events.

Bulwa, Massel and Krawetz said they decided to use their basketball passion to create an impact by providing a younger age group with opportunities to help others.

Catalano and Bulwa contacted Benet Academy, Bloom Township, Providence Catholic, Francis W. Parker School and the University of Chicago Laboratory School to create a three-on-three high school basketball shootout at the University of Chicago’s Gerald Ratner Athletics Center. The event, the Cure It On The Court Classic, is scheduled for Jan. 24.

“[Bulwa, Massel and I] want to take the environment of a great game, whether it be in the [Glenbrook North] Main Gym or a great game at the Lab school, or any of the great high school basketball environments around the Chicagoland area, and transplant that into the gym at the Ratner Center,” Krawetz said.

There are three different games scheduled to take place throughout the afternoon. GBN is scheduled to play Benet Academy at 3 p.m.

According to Massel, the Foundation will donate all money raised at the event to the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital for pediatric cancer research.

“Most of the shootouts nowadays are done for profit,” said Catalano. “[GBN] is doing it completely for the benefit of the Cure it on the Court Foundation, which will raise the money and then donate the money.”

Tickets will be available for purchase starting the week following winter break.

“It feels great to help those who are touched with cancer just by playing the game [the basketball team] loves,” varsity basketball player Pat Hamilton said.

Catalano said he thinks the event will be an “exciting day of basketball” and encourages all students to attend.

“I’m hoping that [the basketball team] realizes that basketball, or even any other sport, is bigger and greater than the sport itself,” said Catalano. “That’s what the whole idea of the shootout is.”