Six on Six girls basketball has been gone for almost two decades. Nostalgia still exists, however, for thousands who actually played this unique game. Thousands more loyal fans flocked to watch their local team play—especially when they earned a trip to the State Tournament where “The Sweet Sixteen” battled to crown but a single state champ. Even though many of the communities had less than 1000 inhabitants, “the big barn” was usually packed, as friends, relatives and neighbors jumped into their cars and headed to the city. Virtually no businesses remained open and employees were usually given the day off without question. Send-off celebrations were usually held for departing teams and car caravans and assemblies highlighted their return—win or lose!

One such community was Elk Horn-Kimballton, who sent a number of team to “the dance”. They called themselves the “Lady Danes,” a name that advertised perhaps the only thing more sacred than basketball— their Danish heritage. After all, how many other communities would come up with the idea of dismantling an authentic Danish windmill in Denmark, shipping it over the Atlantic Ocean and then reconstructing it, piece by piece in their own tiny community, becoming one of the largest tourist attractions in Iowa. This same proud community has also established its own Danish celebration (Tivoli Fest), held every year on the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day, which this year will be May 23 & 24.

A prelude to this year’s Tivoli will be held on the Friday evening (May 22). This event will celebrate not only EH-K’s rich basketball heritage, but also that of a number of neighboring communities. The celebration will come in the form of ‘exhibition’ mini-games that feature former 6 on 6 players and coaches from the following 12 local schools (or former schools):

Elk Horn-Kimballton, Atlantic, Walnut, Exira, Shelby-Tennant, Manning, Manilla, Harlan, Irwin-Kirkman, AvoHa, Audubon and Tri-Center.

This article will serve as the first call to former players and coaches to sign-up to participate in these games—either as a player, coach— OR—just to be introduced as a former 6 on 6 player. Additional calls for players and coaches will be made and eventually pairings and times of games will be announced.

Anyone reading this article that is— or knows someone who is– a former 6 on 6 player or coach from any of these schools is asked to contact Coach Rod Hoegh via email (rsh215@hotmail.com). Players and coaches from other schools are also welcome to contact Hoegh and he will do his best to place you on a team.   Additional volunteers will be needed as officials, PA announcers, scoreboard operators and official score keepers who are also asked to contact Hoegh. There will be a small admission ($2 adults/$1 students) to cover basic expenses with any profit going to the Tivoli Fest fund and/or the EH-K activity fund.