D11 and Hillside Connection's Spring Hoopster Basketball LeagueColorado Springs SD 11 - 04/23/26 8:37 AM
COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado Springs School District 11 (D11) and Hillside Connection (HC) are proud to celebrate a second year of partnership bringing quality basketball play to underserved elementary students across the district this spring. This collaboration is designed to increase access to organized sports and mentorship strengthening school and community pride which elevates the overall well-being of youth in the community.
Building on Hillside Connections proven Hoopster League model of accessible, community centered sports programming, the D11 Hoopster Basketball League will provide students with an opportunity to learn, compete, and grow, regardless of financial barriers. Rooted in the belief that all kids deserve access to quality sports and enrichment programs.
This spring, eight (8) District 11 elementary schools will return for the league’s second season, helping continue the momentum built last year. More than 115+ fourth and fifth grade boys and girls attended school-based tryouts, and 96+ student athletes were selected to represent their schools. The league aims to foster teamwork, confidence empowering youth on and off the court.
The D11 Basketball League will feature divisional live play at North Middle School from 9am - 3pm on Saturdays April 18th – May 2nd. The season will conclude with “Championship Saturday” on May 9th, bringing families, staff, and neighbors together to honor the athletes and their hard work. The full schedule can be found here on the Hillside Connection website.
Thanks to generous private and philanthropic support, league incentives include jersey tops and shorts for participants, Nike basketball shoes, certified officials, coach compensation, workshops with Positive Coaching and more. The league is donation based, with scholarships available for any kid in need.
“The Hoopster League ensures that opportunity is not determined by circumstance. Every child deserves a chance to play, to grow, and to be seen and this league creates a space where that becomes a reality for kids from all walks of life building school and community pride.” ~ Terrell Brown, Founder, Hillside Connection.
“The North Vikings are excited and proud to host the D11 Hoopsters League in its second season. Hillside Connection does amazing work for youth in Colorado Springs; not only athletically, but academically and socially as they experience competition, connection, and challenge. We are thankful and blessed that both our current and future students have the opportunity to engage in Hillside events.” -Stephanie Leasure, Principal North Middle School.
To prepare coaches and volunteers for the season, Hillside Connection hosted a Coach Development Workshop in partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance and Coaching Legend Dan McKiernan on Saturday, April 4th at Loyal Coffee.
CSD11 2025 Spring Hoopster Basketball League – The league has grown form 5 schools to 8 schools
stephanie.leasure@d11.org
Columbia Bank - 04/22/26 11:10 AM
TACOMA, Wash., April 22, 2026 — Columbia Bank, a subsidiary of Columbia Banking System (Nasdaq: COLB), today announced it has been recognized by Crisil Coalition Greenwich with two regional Best Bank Awards for excellence in middle market banking. More than 500 banks worldwide were evaluated across small business and middle market categories, with only 47 banks receiving honors.
Crisil Coalition Greenwich recognized Columbia Bank in the following middle market banking categories for the U.S. West region:
- Best Bank – Satisfaction in Cash Management for Middle Market Banking in the U.S. (West)
- Best Bank – Satisfaction with Relationship Manager for Middle Market Banking in the U.S. (West)
Source: Coalition Greenwich Voice of Client - 2025 U.S. Commercial Banking Study
Best Bank Awards are based on extensive client feedback. The 2026 middle market recognitions draw from more than 11,000 interviews with U.S.-based businesses generating $10 million to $500 million in annual sales.
“Columbia Bank’s recognition by Crisil Coalition Greenwich as a 2026 Best Bank is especially meaningful since it’s the result of customer testimonials. It reflects the priority we place on supporting middle market companies, as well as the dedication and expertise our bankers bring to the table every day for our customers,” said Tory Nixon, Columbia Bank President. “It’s a privilege to support so many outstanding middle market enterprises across the West, and we will continue to earn their trust and confidence.”
Additional 2026 Accolades
The Coalition Greenwich awards add to a growing list of honors Columbia Bank has received this year, including:
- Forbes: America’s Best Banks
- Global Finance: Best Bank for Small and Midsize Enterprises, West
- Global Finance: Best Trade Finance Partner, West
About Columbia Bank
Columbia Bank is the largest bank headquartered in the Northwest and one of the largest banks headquartered in the West with offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Columbia Bank combines the resources, sophistication, and expertise of a national bank with a commitment to deliver superior, personalized service. The bank supports consumers and businesses through a full suite of services, including retail and commercial banking, Small Business Administration lending, institutional and corporate banking, and equipment leasing. Columbia Bank customers also have access to comprehensive investment and wealth management expertise as well as healthcare and private banking through Columbia Wealth Management. Columbia Bank is a subsidiary of Tacoma, Washington-based Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB).