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Content Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sport
PG. 04-05
Hoops for the Holidays: Dr Pepper Holiday Invitational Showcases Elite Dallas Basketball Ta l e n t
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A N o r t h Te x a s Tr a d i t i o n : Inside The Original Showcase Helping Athletes Get Seen.
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Pros at Home
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Latest from the Commission
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Upcoming Events
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V o l u n t e e r V i c t o r i e s - Te x a s Te c h vs Arkansas
PG. 12-13
Innovating and Change-Making: B E S T o f Te x a s R o b o t i c s P r o v i d e s S T E A M E d u c a t i o n t o L o c a l Yo u t h
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HOOPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS:
DR PEPPER HOLIDAY INVITATIONAL SHOWCASES ELITE DALLAS BASKETBALL TALENT
By: David Lee
Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sport
Dating back 85 years, the Dallas ISD Holiday Invitational is more than a basketball tournament— it’s a Texas institution. Launched in 1940, it stands as one of the longest-running sports events in the entire state. The event’s history is deeply rooted in Texas tradition. “Probably before I was born, it used to be a Dr Pepper Tournament,” says Cedric Patterson, Assistant Director of Athletics for Dallas ISD and tournament director. “For several years, the event had a different sponsor, but this year, we’ve been fortunate to have Dr Pepper return to the table,” Patterson adds. This year’s official name: Dr Pepper Holiday Invitational. The 2025 edition, set for December 29–31, marks a bold evolution. What was once a 64-team showcase has expanded to 96 boys and girls high school teams and more than 30 middle school teams across 10 Dallas ISD sites. Championship games will be held at Ellis Davis Field House (7,500 capacity), with additional play scheduled for Forester Field House, Skyline High School, South Oak Cliff High School and seven other campuses. As teams now travel from farther
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distances to compete, the footprint of the tournament has gradually widened, bringing not just bigger brackets, but more families and fans into Dallas during the holiday stretch. A major upgrade for this year is the introduction of three competitive tiers: Platinum, Gold and Silver. “A couple years ago… we broke the entire tournament down into a Gold and a Silver division,” Patterson explains. “The reason why we did that was to try to keep playing levels even.” This year adds the elite Platinum division—just 12 teams, all nationally or state-ranked. “You’ll see most of those teams ranked very high in the state, some ranked in the nation. On the girls side this year, I have three teams nationally ranked.” The Platinum bracket features shot clocks, live digital stats and leaderboard, and a streamlined format: pool play, semifinals and finals over three days. “Why? Because most of those kids playing in those Platinum games are kids that will be playing at the next level,” Patterson says. The additions boost strategy and spectatorship—making certain matchups must-see stops for scouts and college coaches, who are expected to be in attendance across all three days.
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Middle school division expansion is another first. “Last year, we also introduced middle school brackets for the first time,” Patterson says. “And this year, I went to two divisions in middle school. So I have a Gold and Silver, and middle school.” The move builds the Dallas hoops talent pipeline early and has already begun drawing interest from programs outside the immediate region. The tournament’s timing—immediately following the football state championships—amplifies its role in Dallas sports culture. “It’s just big. It’s something that people look forward to. It’s a part of their holidays,” Patterson says. Dallas ISD Assistant Director of Athletics Todd Lamb sees the tournament as a cornerstone. “This is the 85th year of this tournament,” he says. “It was the standard in Dallas for much of that time. And that’s why you see all these other suburbs trying to create these tournaments for themselves. They see the success this tournament has had. For perspective this year, the Cotton Bowl is in its 90th year. That is a tremendously long time for a high school sporting event.” That longevity has made the Invitational a proving ground for talent. Nationally recognized programs like Dallas Carter, Kimball, South Oak Cliff, DeSoto, and Beaumont United (boys) and Dallas Lincoln, The Kinkaid School (Houston), and Putnam City North, Okla., (girls) headline this year’s field. With college coaches recruiting during their own seasons, many will stay in Dallas for multiple days to catch Platinum matchups—a small but valuable bonus for local venues located near the host sites.
Patterson, a Dallas native who played and coached basketball, took action when top teams began to not participate in the tournament. “One of the things that I noticed was some of our better teams were leaving and playing in other tournaments,” he says. “My daughter plays on the girls’ [Dallas Lincoln] team that was ranked in the nation last year; for them not to play was very odd.” So, he rebuilt. “I asked my boss the type of budget that I would be able to get in order to attract teams that I know people would want see,” he says. The result: elite matchups at central venues and a revitalized level of excitement around the event. With 50 to 100 college coaches expected, from D1 powerhouses to NAIA and junior colleges. The tournament now doubles as one of the most concentrated scouting opportunities of the year. The tournament is more than just games; it’s a cultural handoff. Eight championship matchups on December 31st at Ellis Davis will crown the first Platinum winners. Patterson plans to honor legendary Dallas ISD coaches such as Michael Ensley, who led Lincoln’s girls’ teams to a national championship and three state championships in the late-1990s through 2000s. With 15,000-plus spectators expected, new LED boards, live stats and a national-level slate of teams, the 2025 Dr Pepper Holiday Invitational isn’t just returning to glory, it’s setting a new standard, and bringing more travelers into Dallas over the holidays season.
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A NORTH TEXAS TRADITION:
INSIDE THE ORIGINAL SHOWCASE HELPING ATHLETES GET SEEN, NOTICED, AND RECRUITED By: Ben Harbuck
Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sport
PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: DANIEL HERNANDEZ, CHARLIE KADUPSKI. JEFF CASSAR, CLINT DEMPSEY
Thirty-five years ago, when the soccer landscape in Texas offered few college opportunities and even fewer recruiting resources, Charlie Kadupski decided to change the path for young athletes. After a decade of playing professionally and building deep relationships within the coaching world, he recognized that players in North Texas needed a place where college coaches could actually see them. In 1990, he launched The Original Showcase Event and invited sixteen clubs from around the country, each coached by former professionals. That first year opened the door, and the Showcase has been walking players through it ever since. As host of ESPN 97.5’s ‘Soccer Matters’, and voice of the Houston Dynamo, Glenn Davis put it, “Trailblazing is the word that comes to mind with The Original Showcase Event. When you think of this event, you think Dallas soccer.” Charlie built the foundation from scratch. Before the internet or modern recruiting platforms existed, he personally wrote letters to college coaches, gathered program information, and created a resource that eventually evolved into The Sport Source. His goal was simple. Give
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student-athletes a fair and equal opportunity to pursue college soccer. Over the years, that mission never drifted. The Showcase grew because it connected talented players with college coaches who needed a trusted place to evaluate them. The culture around the event became just as important as the soccer. Texas hospitality, as Charlie calls it, plays a real part in why coaches return. The Showcase welcomes them, feeds them, and gives them space to connect with clubs and with each other. One annual highlight is the social gathering where college coaches and club coaches spend time together, build relationships, and talk through players who might be a fit for their programs. Charlie believes creating a positive, inclusive environment has kept the coaching community engaged for decades. Texas A&M head coach G. Guerrieri, a longtime friend of Charlie and the only coach in the history of the Aggie women’s soccer program, sees the value. He says coaches from across the country have enjoyed the games and the hospitality in Dallas for decades. In his view, the Showcase works because of the level of play and the way the event is organized. His advice to players
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attending is simple. Let coaches know you will be there, share video beforehand, and explain why you are interested in their program. The reach of the Showcase has always extended far beyond the Dallas metro. Aaron Gordon, COO of the Texas Club Soccer League, sees it as a central resource for teams across the state and the country. He describes The Sport Source as the original platform that elevated North Texas talent to a national stage. Gordon points out that clubs from every corner of Texas and from states throughout the region travel to Dallas each year because the Showcase provides high level competition and exposure at a cost families can manage. From Houston to El Paso, from San Antonio to the Panhandle, and from places as far away as Colorado, New Mexico, and even Alaska, teams make the trip because they know the opportunity is real. Gordon believes this accessibility shows TOSE’s commitment not only to the local soccer community but also to growing the game across the country. Stories from the Showcase reflect that mission. Over the years, players have been identified for college programs, received scholarship opportunities, and even gone on to professional careers. Some grew into coaches themselves and now return to the same fields as mentors. Charlie remembers players who drove hours each week just to train and be part of the event. He remembers quiet success stories as clearly as the big ones. The thread that connects them is access. Someone saw them play, someone believed in them, and someone opened a door. That impact shows clearly in the event’s alumni. Over the decades, the list of athletes who passed
through the Showcase reads like a snapshot of American soccer. Former MLS All-Star and U.S. national team midfielder Ross Paule, longtime professional and FC Dallas standout Daniel Hernandez, and U.S. Soccer icon Clint Dempsey all competed here on their way to successful careers. Charlie measures success in very human terms. It is the moment when college coaches are talking with a family after a game. It is hearing that a player recruited at the Showcase became a starter as a freshman. It is seeing former participants return years later as professionals, parents, or coaches who now help the next group of young athletes. For him, the Showcase works when people leave Dallas with a positive experience and a better path forward. In a youth sports world with constant change, The Original Showcase Event remains steady. It is built on genuine relationships, longstanding trust, and a belief that every player deserves to be seen. Dallas provides the setting. The Sport Source provides the structure. And every December, athletes walk into an environment created to help them grow, compete, and connect with the next stage of their soccer journey. For the players who prepare, reach out to coaches, and show up ready to compete, the Showcase continues to offer exactly what Charlie envisioned all those years ago. A real chance to be noticed. A real chance to be recruited. And a real chance to move their soccer dreams forward.
Event Website
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PROS AT HOME IN
DECEMBER
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L a t e st
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THE COMMISSION The Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Draw Party December 5th, 2025 will mark a major milestone on the road to the FIFA World Cup 26: the official draw that determines which group-stage each qualifying team will play in. To celebrate this legendary moment, the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee is hosting an official Draw Party in Fort Worth, at Billy Bob’s Texas. Join the Dallas Sports Commission and the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on December 5th to become a part of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration!
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join us for Championship saturday at at&T Stadium The Edward Jones Big 12 Football Championship returns to AT&T Stadium on Saturday December 6th. The top two teams in the conference will clash on one of college football’s biggest stages. Plus, Jon Pardi takes the field for a live halftime performance you won’t want to miss. Tickets are available below, be there when the champion is crowned! PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS
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Upcoming events 10 | Upcoming Events
THE ORIGINAL SHOWCASE EVENT DECEMBER 5 - 7 MONEYGRAM SOCCER PARK
SPIRIT CELEBRATION GRAND NATIONALS DECEMBER 6 - 7 KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON CONVENTION
EDWARD JONES BIG 12 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP DECEMBER 6 AT&T STADIUM
BEST OF TEXAS ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP DECEMBER 11 - 13 FAIR PARK COLISEUM
BMW DALLAS MARATHON WEEKEND DECEMBER 12 - 14 KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON CONVENTION CENTER
NCA HOLIDAY CLASSIC DECEMBER 13 - 14 KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON CONVENTION CENTER
REVOCRUIT REMATCH 2025 ARKANSAS VS. TEXAS TECH DECEMBER 13 KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON CONVENTION CENTER
SERVPRO FIRST RESPONDERS BOWL 2025 DECEMBER 26 GERALD J. FORD STADIUM
GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC DECEMBER 31 AT&T STADIUM
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Interested in becoming a part of some of the world’s biggest sporting events from right here in our backyard? Register to volunteer with the Dallas Sports Commission today! Some upcoming volunteer opportunities include: •
Best of Texas Robotics: State Championships: December 11 - 13
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Dallas Trinity FC Home Games; August 2025 - May 2026
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Round 2 in dallas: REVOCRUIT REMATCH Texas Tech vs Arkansas A Texas-sized showdown comes to North Texas when Arkansas battles Texas Tech at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The two teams played an epic Sweet 16 game last season, which saw the Red Raiders stage a furious comeback before winning 85-83 in overtime. bdG Sports is excited to bring this Revocruit Rematch to town where the teams will have the chance to face off once again. Tip time is slated for 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, December 13th.
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Vo l u n t e e r V i c t o r i e s - R E V O C R U I T R E M A T C H Te x a s Te c h v s A r k a n s a s | 1 1
INNOVATING AND CHANGE-MAKING: BEST OF TEXAS ROBOTICS PROVIDES STEAM EDUCATION TO LOCAL YOUTH By: Peyton Lawrence
Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports Commission • Dallas Sports
One of the most unique competitive sports in schools across the country goes beyond the court or pitch and into computer labs, workshops, and physics classrooms. Educational robotics combines the competitive thrill of traditional sports with technology to teach generations of young learners how to innovate and problem-solve with limited resources and boundless creativity. One of the premier organizations in this space is BEST Robotics. Founded in 1993 by two Texas Instruments engineers, Ted Mahler and Steve Marum, BEST strives to ignite the passion for robotics education in all their participating students. What began as a small regional competition in North Texas has now grown to a nation-wide organization that changes the lives of thousands of young innovators each year. BEST Robotics is unique within the world of STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) learning and competition in a few critical ways. First, there are no fees charged to any of the 300+ robotics teams competing in any championship game across the country. Grants,
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in tandem with generous sponsors such as Texas Instruments and Qorvo, ensure that each team is provided with a robotics kit, meals, training, and access to an extensive network of alumni. In Texas alone, the Texas Workforce Commission awarded BEST with almost eight hundred thousand dollars in grants to grow the program in unprecedented ways.
According to BEST Executive Director Johannes Starks, “These investments allow us to expand work-based learning opportunities by engaging high school programs not only to provide food for volunteers and serve as interns in marketing, but also to create and deliver the curriculum for Camp Code and to develop and implement the software used at our championships.”
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Removing this financial barrier to entry allows more students to participate — and participate they have. BEST of Texas Robotics has seen enrollment skyrocket over the past several years, with student groups now ranging from early elementary school to seniors in high school; from homeschool coalitions to STEAM magnet schools. Many of these older students are now preparing to pursue higher education in sciences and engineering, with 92% of participants in 2024’s championship reporting that BEST increased their interest in STEAM careers. Local educators shared how robotics programs have contributed to student engagement and success in science and math classes at never-before-seen levels, especially from students who may have been less interested in the past. This is even more true in regions with a heavy tech industry presence like Dallas, where students have the opportunity to work directly with mentors from large DFWbased companies like Texas Instruments, Raytheon, IBM, and more. The practical workforce-readiness skills taught by BEST Robotics are not limited to science and math, however. Unique to BEST’s curriculum is auxiliary programming surrounding the robotics competition. Students do not only display their robots’ abilities, but they must also demonstrate the critical skills of technical writing and professional communication with potential stakeholders. Competing teams are required to thoroughly document their creative process from start to finish in an Engineering Notebook which must be presented to judges. Each team must also prepare a marketing pitch to share their robot and its features with a team of mock investors at a trade show style booth. Not every student who participates may be planning a career in engineering, but BEST gives students with interests in the arts, business, and beyond a chance to develop skills in tandem with their science-minded peers. Each year, the challenge that teams are asked to solve changes to keep competition fresh and ex-
citing. This year’s challenge, titled “Factoids”, entails robots collecting and sorting colored ping pong balls of varying composition in an efficient and creative way. BEST leadership equates the challenge to one we now face in our everyday lives: distinguishing facts from fiction in a digital world. BEST of Texas Robotics returns to Dallas this December 10th – 13th to host the regional championships on the Fair Park campus. Teams will come together to determine a winner based on creativity, teamwork, performance, presentation, and most importantly, innovation. The event will serve as the culmination of many students’ robotics careers and will celebrate the passion and potential of these young future thinkers. There are several ways to support BEST of Texas Robotics’ mission as they encourage young people’s exploration into STEAM and adjacent fields. Each event requires a significant amount of manpower due to the sheer number of participants. Interested parties over the age of eighteen can volunteer their time at the BEST of Texas Championship in December to ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience for teams. Additionally, any funds donated to BEST of Texas Robotics go directly to students through free meals, robotics tool kits, and more. Robotics may be an unusual sport, but it is a necessary part of preparing future generations to think critically and solve complex problems in our world. Organizations like BEST of Texas Robotics foster creativity in thousands of young people and give them the tools to solve real-world problems in a fun, competitive way while growing as people. BEST of Texas Robotics, through its partnerships with educational institutions and corporate sponsors, is working to ensure that every student has the chance to become a change-maker of tomorrow. Learn more about BEST of Texas Robotics, including how to donate and volunteer at bestoftexasrobotics.org today.
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