Princeton Club of Chicago

The inaugural John W. Rogers Jr. '80 Basketball Shoot-Around

saturday, september 14, 2024

John W. Rogers Jr. '80 is Princeton basketball royalty and arguably Chicago basketball royalty.  Rogers was a standout on the basketball court at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and is what many would refer to as a “gym rat.” He developed his game playing on the streets of Chicago with his high school teammates.  He recalls, “We’d try to sneak into the University of Chicago gyms and play with the college students,” said Rogers. "I had a court in my backyard, some of them had courts in their backyards, and we’d go back and forth to each other’s homes. We’d try to find parks to play in. You learn how to survive; if you didn’t win, you didn’t get back on the court.”

And get on the court he did. Not only did he make the team at Princeton, he eventually became captain of the team his senior year and led Princeton to become co-champions of the Ivy League. His love for the game continued when he returned to Chicago. John regularly hosted intense full-court sessions at local gyms and welcomed many of the Princeton alumni and current players to the competitive pick-up games. Additionally, John is a big supporter of Princeton basketball, attending games and financially supporting the men’s and women’s teams.

While running Ariel Investments, John continued to play around Chicago as well as around the nation. He is quietly considered as "the godfather of U.S. three-on-three basketball” (or 3x3, as it is labeled internationally). Rogers joined fellow Tigers Craig Robinson and Kit Mueller to form the core of a 3x3 team that won three “Shoot the Bull” tournaments against fields of some 2,000 teams two decades ago. He has been championing 3x3 basketball ever since and is credited with helping the sport become an Olympic event.

Furthermore, John’s name graces his high school gym. The Ariel Banner flies at Jadwin Gym at Princeton as well as at other gyms in Chicago. Currently, John is an owner of the Chicago Sky and a supporter of the Chicago Bulls.

John is the only person to beat Michael Jordan at Jordan’s basketball camp.

This event will focus on a naming ceremony, adult pickup games and a reception. Current and former b-ballers are welcome!

Program

9:30am    - Doors Open 

10:00am  - Naming ceremony 

10:30am  - Inaugural shot

10:35am  - Basketball play

12:05pm  - Mingling 

12:30pm  - Conclusion

Saturday, September 14th, 2024

  

---

 Join NOW to receive PCC Member priority reservation, member pricing, and to support Princeton events and service opportunities.  Membership is free for the Classes of '23-'24 and *23-*24, but you must join.  Membership starts at only $25/year.

---

If you are experiencing technical difficulties registering, please contact us at info@princetonclubofchicago.org or 312-767-8440.