IWKnights’ Annual Free Throw Basketball Championship

. . . . . .It's Time to "Hoop It UP!"

All boys & girls ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of the 2025 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship to be held on January 6, 2026 at 6:00pm in the Incarnate Word Parish's Kent Center Gym.

Doors to the gym open at & in-person Registrations Begin at 5:30pm.

Provides an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition.

Advance Registration is available online by clicking on the button below. 

Any Advance Registration forms not signed in advance will need to be signed upon arrival at the Free Throw Championship event on January 6, 2026.  NO Advance Registrations accepted after 1/5/2026 @ 6:00pm.

There is NO CHARGE OR FEE to participate in the Free Throw Championship!

basketball hoop
    • A FEW NOTES ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT.........
      • One boy and one girl in each age group advances to the district level of the Knights of Columbus Free-Throw Championship.
      • If the event on January 6th has to be cancelled that day due to winter weather etc. (Remember 2025?), the Free Throw Championship will automatically be rescheduled for February 10th.
      • After you click on Submit Registration button on the PDF document, you will be asked to save the form (PDF Document) and then be sent to the Championship Registration page. There, you will need to use the form on the right to submit your registration (PDF Document).

Some Tidbits about the K of C Free Throw Championship

How It All Began.....

The Free Throw Championship (order wide) was instituted in 1973 at the recommendation of the Order’s Committee on Youth Activity. The Knights of Columbus Board of Directors chose Florida and North Dakota as pilot jurisdictions for the program, which was open to boys and girls ages 11-14.

K of C councils have long used basketball to engage young people. An article in the September 1939 issue of Columbia, for example, described the Knights as “a pioneer in the field of Catholic youth guidance” and specified basketball as one means to develop character and leadership in Columbian Squires. (more)

More about the Program

Since 1972, councils have sponsored the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship for boys and girls from the ages of 9 to 14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. Kids compete within their own gender and age and progress from local level to district, regional and state/province competitions. This program is a great way to introduce the Order to your community and recruit faithful family men of service. (more)

Inspires former Participant, NBA Player, & Volunteer to join the Knights!

At least one NBA player didn’t stay on the sidelines, however. While playing for the Chicago Bulls in February 2020, Luke Kornet agreed to help St. John XXIII-St. John Paul II Council 15771 with its Free Throw Championship in Chicago. It was a full-circle moment for Kornet, who competed in a free throw competition, possibly organized by local Knights, as a kid in Arizona. The basketball center joined Council 15771 himself a few months later.

“I’m grateful for the Knights providing this program because it gives children a goal to work toward,” Kornet said. “It’s easy to think of sports and faith being separate, but this event helps reconcile that competition is a place for us to test and exhibit the virtues, gifts and skills that God has given us to cultivate.” (more)

For More information & Questions..........

Bryan Hewing
Bryan Hewing

Bryan V. Hewing
New Media Coordinator, Incarnate Word Knights of Columbus Council #9981
13416 Olive Blvd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017
iwknightsnewmedia@gmail.com

(314) 607-2823

  Last Updated as of .