WOBM Christmas Classic To End After 40 Years

The origin of the WOBM Christmas Classic begins with a meeting among Ocean County basketball coaches over the news that Southern Regional was no longer hosting the Roundball Festival which had been a holiday staple for years.  I happened to be in that meeting and one of the items being discussed was seeking a neutral court for a tournament as opposed to playing on someone’s home court.  I suggested Ocean County College and while most were in favor of that they doubted the facility would be available.

This was 1984 and at the time two of the owners of WOBM were active members of the college’s Board of Trustees.  I approached them with the idea of not only holding the tournament at OCC but WOBM (and me) running it.  We had a great run there, sold out the finals every year and created a real buzz.  After adding the girls division and expanding the boys to 16 teams we moved to the brand new arena at Toms River North which is now the RWJBarnabas Health Arena.

It’s now 40 years for the WOBM Christmas Classic and I’m proud to say it has become a true holiday tradition.  The 40^th Annual tournament featuring 32 teams will run from December 26-30 and today I am publically announcing it will be the last one.  The decision after four decades was mine and mine alone.  I am technically retired from Townsquare Media/WOBM and as many know working for Jersey Mike’s.

Forty years of giving up Christmas week is enough, especially with two grandkids who live out of the area.  My wife and I want to spend more time with them during the holidays and putting together this tournament is pretty much an all-year task which I know longer wish to do. Maybe somebody will come along and try and run a similar tournament and I wish them well.  It won’t be under WOBM as my superiors realize that I handle all aspects and there is nobody who could carry this on.  I appreciate them allowing this to be the swan song.

All good things do come to an end.  The WOBM Christmas Classic has been a good thing for the players, coaches and fans for 40 years.  I hope we go out with a bang…and a few tears.