Snapple named official title sponsor of the HHSAA basketball state championships

HONOLULU – Snapple “Real Fact” #221: The game of basketball was first played using a soccer ball and two peach baskets.

“Real Fact”: The Hawaii High School Athletic Association inked a landmark deal with Snapple Beverage Corporation to be the title sponsor of its boys and girls basketball state championships for the next three years.

“The HHSAA is very honored that Snapple, with its national brand recognition, chose to support our basketball state championships,” said HHSAA Executive Director Chris Chun.

The popular beverage company, known for their unadulterated fruit juices and teas by the slogan “Made from the best stuff on Earth,” is now recognized for its crafty ads that bring its cap “Real Facts” to life. In the ‘90s, the company’s brand boosted from a marketing campaign designed around the real-life, energetic “Snapple Lady”, and pop-culture references in music and television sitcoms.

“Snapple is pleased to partner with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association in being a title sponsor of one of their premier boys and girls state championships,” said Lorene Luke, Regional Sales Manager for Snapple Beverage Corp.  “Snapple provides healthy and refreshing beverage choices, and together we will promote a healthy lifestyle for our student-athletes and their families.”

The Snapple Basketball State Championships tips off Jan. 30 with the girls Division I tournament, and concludes Friday, Feb. 17 with the boys championship.  The Division I tournament for both the boys and girls will see a new format with the league runner-ups hosting the first round of the tournament at their respective home courts. The winner of those games will move on to the three-day tournament in Honolulu.

About the HHSAA

Founded in 1956, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) educational athletic organization exclusively dedicated to serving 96 public and independent member high schools statewide, as they work cooperatively to support and promote athletics as part of the high school education program. As the umbrella organization of high school athletics, the HHSAA operates 44 state championships in 18 different sports, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, in addition to providing professional development opportunities for coaches and athletic administrators.

For more information on the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, go to www.sportshigh.com.