PGH Michigan Top 250: The LaMar Hankamp Scholarship
First of all, I’d like to that Prep Network and Prep Hoops for funding and backing this scholarship in my Dad’s name. It’s yet another shining example of what a great company it truly is. Prep Hoops consistently shows that it cares about the kids. They always come first. They also continue to look out for and take care of the people that work for them. Prep Hoops stepped up to the plate like they always do and allowed me to create the LaMar Hankamp Scholarship in an honor of my father. Prep Hoops has allowed me to select a player and invite them to the Prep Girls Hoops Michigan Top 250 with no financial obligations.
First, let me give you some background. My Dad always worked hard and provided for his family. He always attended and supported me and my brothers athletics, proud of us whether we won or lost. He always gave us the opportunity to do the things we love and made sure that we put in the work to reach the level that we dreamed of. My brother and I both ended up as college athletes, in large part because of him. In 1997, 3 friends and I were involved in a life altering car accident. We were hit head on at 55 miles per hour by a drunk driver. I was med flighted to the nearest hospital and was in a coma. When I first woke up and understood what was going on, I was told that I may never walk again. My Dad had taught me different, that there was no limit to what I could accomplish except for the limits that I put on myself. Throughout my recovery, my father was in my corner and refused to believe that I couldn’t do the things that I loved. He continued to provide me with opportunities to recover and live a normal life, even when “experts” said that it wouldn’t happen.
Fast forward to today and I live a terrific life. I have a wonderful family and a job that I could have only dreamed of. This life would have never happened without my Dad teaching me how to come out on top and providing me with opportunities to do so. The LaMar Hankamp Scholarship is my way of hoping to extend my father’s legacy. To provide a young lady with an opportunity to reach for the stars and for them to see that there are more people in their corner.
My Dad passed away last October, but I was able to tell him and talk to him about the LaMar Hankamp Scholarship. He was proud to know that the man and father that he was would continue to have a positive influence for years to come. He would be extremely proud to know the Analiya Fields was the LaMar Hankamp Scholarship player this year at the Prep Girls Hoops Michigan Top 250. Fields is a freshman combo guard that attends Hamady High School. She’s a versatile guard that can play with the ball in her hands and find teammates in scoring positions as well as play off the ball as a scoring 2 guard. Fields is a 2 way player that utilizes her quickness on the defensive end. Fields is a hard working player and a perfect choice for the LaMar Hankamp Scholarship. Sometimes a kid just deserves a shot. They work hard and put everything they have into something, and they deserve to be rewarded for that. Fields puts in the work and deserves the opportunity to experience a prime time event like the Top 250. My Dad would be honored to see her taking the court on Saturday.