Dallas Mavericks

"Hoop"-la about Hats

They've traded their two Mavericks courtside seats for nursery rockers at Parkland. Tiffany Cuban, wife of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and her sister Jamie Stewart got the best seats in the house during their recent visit to the nursery at Parkland Memorial Hospital. They brought with them 10-thousand baby hats, both pink and blue. The tiny hats are a gift to Parkland newborns from a group called "Hoops 'n Hopes", made up of wives of the Mavericks players and coaches.

"When our daughter was born we received a blanket and a hat. I know how meaningful it is for families to get these items when they have a newborn," said Cuban.

Tiffany rarely goes anywhere with out her sister, Jamie. They even sit together at Mavericks games. So, they felt at home wearing their matching blue Parkland gowns rocking side-by-side. Tiffany was thrilled to hold a little girl just 24-hours old. Of course, the infant was wearing her new pink hat with "Go Mavs!" on the front.

Cuban adds, "Being here at Parkland and holding a newborn is truly the best way to see the need first hand. Having the opportunity to be here is such a warm feeling. And who knows, maybe giving this baby a hat could help make a future Dallas Mavericks player."

Hoops 'n Hopes is dedicated to the emotional, physical and educations well-being of women and children in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They raise the majority of their money through the sales of a Dallas Mavericks Players Team Calendar. The organization has given to other charities including For Goodness Sake!, Genesis Women's Shelter, Austin Street Centre, National Women of Achievement, Fallen Patriot Fund and Vogel Alcove.

In addition to the Hoops 'n Hopes gift, Parkland Foundation is also grateful to the Dallas Mavericks Foundation for awarding Parkland Health & Hospital System $25,000 to send pediatric burn survivors to Camp I-Thonka-Chi in June 2007.

Dale Talley, Director of Maternal and Infants' Services, is grateful to the team for their continued support for all of Parkland’s patients including the tiniest ones.

"It's great to see such a strong sense of support from a professional basketball team and their wives. With more than 16-thousand babies delivered in a year, Parkland will do our part to cultivate as many junior Mavericks fans over the next few months."