By Marisa Dawson

Bennington High School hosted its annual Men’s Alumni Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 21, bringing together former players from past graduating classes for a day of friendly competition, reconnection and support for the current program.

The event, organized by Boys Basketball Coach Luke Olson, has become a cherished tradition since he launched it in 2012, his second year at the school.

“I started it… Just as a way to get the alumni back and connect them with the program and for me to get to know the alumni since I was pretty new,” Olson said. “And also a way to make some money… it’s turned into something that’s just a lot of fun.” The small fee charged per player goes toward paying for various things including summer camp trips.

The tournament typically features eight to ten teams, with current Bennington players serving as referees, an experience that gives them fresh insight into the game.

“Obviously the reffing is good because they get a different perspective,” Olson explained. “I think a lot of times if you go and play, you don’t understand how hard it is to be an official. So they get a different perspective from that.”

After the games, participants head to The Warehouse, where a donated coupon provides a free drink, creating an opportunity for storytelling and camaraderie.

“The guys enjoy coming back. They go to The Warehouse and tell stories and I get to connect with them a little bit,” Olson said. “At the end of the day, everybody leaves here a little bit closer, a little more connected. It’s good for high school guys to see you when they come back.”

Coach Olson emphasized the long-term sense of belonging he hopes to foster.

“We talk about how we don’t want it to just be a two or three year deal when you’re part of the court. We want it to be a long term deal,” he noted. “It’s good for these guys to come back and our high school guys to connect with them, talk to them. They might give them a little bit of a hard time during the game when they’re officiating, but at the end of the game, they’re really good about saying good job and just kind of building them back up. So it’s fun, it’s a good connection.”

Teams are generally formed by graduation year, though Olson keeps the groupings flexible as alumni age and friends from different classes wish to play together. “To me, it’s just more about getting everybody together,” he said. “It does get competitive, but not unhealthily. I’m not really concerned about who’s on what team. I just want guys to come back, connect with the high school kids. We raise a little money and then I just go down and see them at The Warehouse and have a couple hours of storytelling and laugh with them.”

Most participants are local, though some travel from out of state or nearby colleges and universities, including players who drove in from Kansas and others from schools around the region. The event is often timed to coincide with March Madness viewing at the Warehouse afterward.

The Class of 2025, last year’s graduating seniors, captured the championship this year. Team members included:

• Gavin Olson
• Austin Kaiser
• Jace Fitzgerald
• Jack Jansen
• Brayden Showman
• Nic Deyo
• Will Koesters
• Jase Bachlund

The 2018-19 group finished as runners-up, while the Class of 2023 placed third.

Olson, who has led the Bennington boys basketball program since 2011, said the tournament has grown into something special that benefits everyone involved.

“Every year my seniors graduate, they come back and I get to see them again and check in, see how life’s going. I really have come to enjoy it,” he added. “It’s been fun. It’s a lot of fun.”