FUPS celebrates 43 years of basketball, camaraderie
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CHARLO — In 1969, Charlo’s town basketball team wanted to buy some new uniforms with their numbers on the back. At that time, they needed to raise $100 to buy 10 uniforms. So Rick Knudsen and other founders decided to organize a basketball tournament, and they called it the FUPS Basketball Brawl.
“Back then, we charged 50 cents a head for admission, and we had a heck of a good time,” Knudsen said.
Fast-forward about 43 years, and the FUPS tradition is still balling strong.
And while many might be wondering what a FUP is, the answer to that question is equally confusing.
“FUP stands for Florida Underwater Protoplasm Society,” Knudsen explained. “The FUPS are people who graduated from Charlo and went to the University of Montana, and we started a softball team called the FUPS.”
Knudsen’s niece, Crystal Kain, just laughed when asked what it means to be a FUP.
“I’ve heard it stands for Florida Underwater Protoplasm Society … whatever my uncle said, that’s what it is,” she replied.
This year, Kain is organizing the tournament for the first time along with Bo Herak.
The tournament is a family tradition that Kain is thrilled to take the reins of because of its legacy in the community.
“The tournament started with the idea to raise money for uniforms but it wasn’t a money tournament,” Kain said, explaining the tournament is more organized around the idea of bringing people together and having fun.
“It’s about having a good time rather than winning,” Kain said, noting the rule that states no current or former college players will be allowed in the B bracket unless approved by the tournament director.
“Back in the day, I used to drive 22 hours straight from San Diego to play in the FUPS brawl and drive 22 hours straight back Sunday night after the championship,” said John Herak, a longtime player and supporter of FUPS. “I was born with basketball blood, and I think this is a great thing for kids to see the older guys play and enjoy the camaraderie of old and new friendships born and strengthened with time and love of the game.”
The tournament boasts several unique aspects, including a “toilet bowl champion.” Because teams are guaranteed three games, if a team loses the first two, it automatically moves to the toilet bowl championship. The winner of that game actually wins a mini-toilet for their efforts. There is also a half-court shot that is worth five points; every team also receives a team photo.
“(The half-court shot) makes comebacks more exciting,” Kain said.
Another important aspect to the tournament is the scholarship money raised for Charlo High School students.
Kain said her goal is to raise $500 to $2,000 in scholarship money. She has been approaching local businesses to help sponsor the tournament. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and concessions at the tournament to raise money for Relay 4 Life and the Charlo Fourth of July fireworks show.
New to this year’s tournament is a coed option that she hopes will get more family involvement.
“I’m really excited about it. I’m on a team with my dad and sister … it’s going to be a (new) family tradition,” Kain shared.
So far, Kain has 23 teams signed up with the limit at 24 to compete in the five-on-five indoor basketball tournament May 4-6 at Charlo High School. Players can compete in both the men’s and coed division as long as they are listed on the official roster.
“It brings a lot of people back to Charlo for the week and gives back to the community, and I might be biased, but it seems like it is one of the bigger events in Charlo,” Kain said.
