Rogers first became involved with the tournament in 1974 when he joined the Lions Club and began volunteering at the then-16-year-old tournament. When the tournament needed someone to take it over seven years later, he volunteered to step up.

“Our goal that first year and each year after has been to go after one national high school to bring in teams to the tournament that don’t normally get to play each other.”

Though this raised the costs and prompted the need for corporate sponsorships, expanding the playing field was a game-changer and ushered in the next season of the tournament. Whataburger began sponsoring the tournament in 1985.

Thirty-eight years brings with it a lot of memories. Rogers recalled the 1987 tournament, when Los Angeles Crenshaw was playing Fort Worth Dunbar in the heated finals match. Ten players signed Division I scholarships that year.

“It was standing-room only. The aisles were filled because there were 7,000 people packed into a 5,800-person arena,” he noted. “Someone told us the fire marshal was going to shut us down, but we just said, ‘If you want to talk to him, be our guest because he’s right there in the front row.’”

With the tournament taking place every year right after the holidays, and all of Rogers’ children involved with the tournament, one could only presume it’s had an effect on his family’s holiday traditions. However, he says it totally “goes as normal” – the family just stays in their hometown of Fort Worth for the holidays.

Each tournament takes well over a year to coordinate, and it’s a family affair for the Rogers Clan. Daughter Robyn coordinates the activities at the W.G. Thomas Coliseum, son Rusty covers social media, and youngest son, Randy, who’s in the military, helps out wherever he can when he’s home for the holidays. Sarah Rogers (Tom’s wife) heads up the hospitality room to make sure all the coaches and scouts are fed.

More than 20,000 spectators, including college scouts and coaches, are expected to take part in the action-packed three-day tournament which kicks off Thursday, Dec. 26 through Saturday, Dec. 28, where 3,000 Whataburgers are consumed each year. For more information, check out the details here. Brackets, rankings and specific player statistics can also be found at WhataburgerTournament.com. 

As for Rogers, you’ll be able to find him enjoying the tournament with his favorite Whataburger in hand – the No. 1 with cheese – “because nothing beats the original.”

Robert Hughes Sr.

Robert Hughes Sr. coached I.M. Terrell and Dunbar High Schools in Fort Worth for more than three decades winning five state titles in the process.

Robert Hughes comes from humble beginnings, one of seven siblings growing up on a farm in Bristow, Oklahoma. Hard work became part of his mantra with life lessons from his mom at an early age.

“I came from a family of seven boys and one girl,” said Hughes. “As a kid, you just didn’t run into a lot of things. My mom was about 6 feet tall. When she told you to do something, you needed to do it and quickly.”

Hughes’ determination led him to play at Texas Southern University and was eventually drafted by the Boston Celtics. After his playing days were over, Hughes headed to Texas and took on the role of head coach for I.M. Terrell for several years winning three state titles. Hughes later transitioned to Dunbar High School in 1973 and would coach there for the next 32 years winning two more state titles and amassing 1,333 career wins, surpassing DeMatha Catholic High School (PA) coaching legend Morgan Wootten.

“Every day when we saw each other – coaches and players – we said, ‘Remember this, don’t let anybody outwork you, period,’” said Hughes. “We stuck to that.”

Hughes retired from coaching in 2005, but the “Duke”, as he was referred to, leaves a long legacy behind that is being carried forward by his son, Robert Hughes Jr., who’s currently the head coach at Dunbar.

Robert Gill

Robert Gill is the only person in 60 years who has played, coached and officiated the Whataburger Basketball Tournament.

It all began on a December morning in 1964. A sixth-grader named Robert Gill and his cousin were dropped off at the entrance to the Westside Lions Club Basketball Tournament arena in Fort Worth, $5 in hand and excitement on their faces. They weren’t there to play, but to watch the tournament.

“We’d watch every game. I knew the players, they’d come by and talk to us and we’d freak out. It kind of makes me emotional because it meant that much to me,” says Gill.

And while he loved the excitement of being a spectator, Gil dreamed of the day he could play in the then Westside Lions Tournament. The dream was soon to come true.

“It really had a huge influence on me, watching that tournament at a young age,” says Gill. “I wanted to be like those guys that were playing in the tournament.”

A few years later, when Gill starred at Carter Riverside High School, he fulfilled his dream of playing in the Westside Lions Tournament, even earning all-tournament honors his senior year.

Gill remained connected with the Whataburger Basketball Tournament, coaching and eventually officiating games.

“This tournament wouldn’t be where it is today without the tournament of the 60s and 70s when it was the Westside Lions Tournament; it just couldn’t,” says Gill.

Sharrief Metoyer

Sharrief Metoyer played in the tournament as a high school athlete and went on to coach Long Beach Poly where he returned with his team in 2009 and 2012. He also became a full-time teacher for two decades while running an inner-city baskeball program for Nike.

Sharrief Metoyer first played in the Whataburger Basketball Tournament in 1989 as a sophomore. Twenty years later, Metoyer had the privilege to coach the Long Beach Poly High School team to the very same tournament.

Metoyer’s Poly team advanced to the championship game in 2009 but lost in the final round. Three years later, in 2012 Long Beach Poly returned and won the title.

“I think it’s amazing to see the maturation process of 14,15,16-year-old kids using basketball as a tool to help them in other areas of life in terms of discipline and responsibility,” said Metoyer. “The tournament is first class, and getting that Whataburger at the end of games, well that’s an added plus.”

With humble beginnings dating back to 1958, the Whataburger Basketball tournament has grown from just eight teams to a 48-team basketball showdown featuring talent from across the state and beyond, including out-of-state competitors from Little Rock Parkview.

More than 30,000 spectators, including college scouts and coaches, are expected to take part in the action-packed three-day tournament at three area high school gyms. The 5,000-seat Birdville Independent School District’s W.G. Thomas Coliseum will host the Boys Orange Division, the 1,700-seat Chisholm Trail High School arena will host the Boys Blue Division and the 2,200-seat Saginaw High School arena will host the Girls Blue Division.

In its storied history, the Whataburger Basketball Tournament has provided a national spotlight for players that went on to professional careers as players and coaches with the NBA. Tournament veterans include Sam Cassel, assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers. In addition to going home champions, the winning team in each division will also earn a $1,000 scholarship from Whataburger.

“We’re proud to bring families and fans together to witness the rising stars in the Whataburger Basketball Tournament,” said Whataburger Director of Operations Scott Phillips. “We know how much hard work and dedication the athletes put into this game, and Whataburger couldn’t be happier to see them succeed.”

Fans interested in witnessing history can purchase tickets at each of the tournament’s three venues. Tickets are $9 for a single day pass on Dec. 27 and 28, $10 for a single day pass on Dec. 29, $24 for a three-day pass at a single venue, $36 for a three-day pass at Chisholm Trail and Saginaw venues and $55 for a three-day pass for all games and venues throughout the competition. 

“This year’s tournament is jam-packed with incredible talent from Texas and beyond,” said Tournament Director Tom Rogers. “The Whataburger Basketball Tournament continues to set the stage for players to showcase their skills. We’re excited to see a little friendly competition and end the year with some great basketball.”

For additional information including brackets, rankings and specific player statistics, visit Whataburger-BBT.org. During the tournament, updated scores and game schedules will be posted in real time on Facebook. Here are the participating teams:

BOYS ORANGE
Aldine Eisenhower
Arkansas Little Rock Parkview
Arlington Martin
Dallas Jesuit
Denton Guyer
Duncanville
Euless Trinity
Fort Worth Northwest
Katy Morton Ranch
Mansfield Timberview
Richardson Pearce
San Antonio Wagner
South Grand Prairie
Southlake Carroll
Sulphur Springs
Waxahachie

BOYS BLUE
Argyle
Argyle Liberty Christian
Bowie
Brock
Burkburnett
Center
Decatur
Grandview
Kennedale
Levelland
Liberty Hill
Nazareth
Peaster
Ponder
Seminole
Wall

GIRLS BLUE
Argyle Liberty Christian
Bowie
Dodd City
Jacksboro
Kennedale
Levelland
Nazareth
Panhandle
Ponder
Quinlan Ford
Seminole
Springtown
Stephenville
Tuscola Jim Ned
Wall
Winnsboro

Contact:
Kami Lee
Apron for Whataburger
210-476-6547
kami@apronfoodpr.com