Megan Silva wants to throw Richmond a basketball party – a really, really big basketball party.

Recognized as one of Richmond's most decorated collegiate basketball players for her point guard play at Randolph-Macon College, Silva, 23, is now working with the Richmond Sports Backers as an event production assistant.

Her basketball experience and knowledge have landed her the role as the director of the Sports Backers latest offering, the U.S. Army 3 on 3 Summer Hoops, and she thinks it has the potential to be one of the biggest events in the Sports Backers lineup.

"I think having the whole community involved in basketball like what happens at the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k has the potential to make this an unforgettable and awesome experience," says Silva, who plays a range of co-ed sports from football to kickball to dodge ball and still enjoys a good game of pick-up basketball.

U.S. Army 3 on 3 Summer Hoops is a community-based basketball tournament set for July 26-27 at the Dominion campus in the Innsbrook Office Park. The tournament is owned and produced by the Sports Backers. The U.S. Army has signed on as title sponsor. Fun-seekers and weekend warriors can register for the Standard Division, which will offer a minimum of three games to men's, women's and co-ed teams. The Elite Division will be for the region's highly competitive men's and women's teams. Youth Age Division will be offered for kids ages 8-13. The High School Age Division will be offered for kids grades 9-12. The Adult Division will be for everyone 18 and up.

In her collegiate career, Silva led her Randolph-Macon team to the NCAA Women's Division III Championship Game in 2005, where they came up just short of the national title. She's been to the Big Dance. She's played in the Big Dance. And what she cherishes most from all her thousands of basketball moments are the friends she's made. Her hopes for the U.S. Army 3 on 3 Summer Hoops are that it will grow into something friends can share.

"I think it's a great way for friends to do something together that's active and fun and different," she says.

To that end, her plans for the U.S. Army 3 on 3 Summer Hoops include a great competitive experience (each team gets at least three games) with more than a few bells and whistles thrown in.

"I think atmosphere is very important," says Silva. "We will have music and a festival vibe for people to enjoy in between their games. We know how to make things fun."

Silva thinks one of the highlights of the event will be the Arena Court, which will be ringed with bleachers and promises to be buzzing with activity throughout the weekend.

"It will highlight the elite division games, our slam dunk competition and other activities," said Silva.

Another fun feature of the tournament will be the CarMax Contest Court where contestants and spectators young and old can enter three-point shot contests, free-throw contests, skills competitions and a hot shot competition.

"U.S. Army 3 on 3 Summer Hoops is largely based on Spokane Hoopfest," said Silva. "That event draws 6,000 teams. That's over 25,000 participants and thousands upon thousands of spectators going to downtown Spokane for an amazing basketball event. It's the world's largest basketball tournament. With all the great basketball we have in Richmond, I think we can do something like that here."

To sign up for the U.S. Army 3 on 3 Summer Hoops, visit www.sportsbackers.org.

Mike McCormick, the communications director for the Sports Backers, moved to Richmond in 2007 from Washington, D.C., where he spent four years working for the White House Press Office. He is a former national champion whitewater kayaker and father of two.

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