They jump through hoops in the business world every day, but what are the wizards of the corporate world like when it comes to shooting hoops?

We’re going to find out during the 2008 Bay Street Hoops tournament, presented by RBC Direct Investing. The gurus of the boardroom meet the backboard in this tournament that pits men’s and women’s teams from the city’s corporate realm against each other for three days of exciting basketball. It’s one of Toronto’s premier charity sports events and it helps Serve!

This year’s fundraising goal is $200,000, which will go the tournament’s beneficiaries, Special Olympics Ontario and Serve!

The event is held March 27-29 at the University of Toronto Athletic Centre, 55 Harbord St., and Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St. About 70 teams compete on Thursday and Friday evening, and Saturday morning. All teams play in a three-game, full court, five-on-five, round-robin format, with experienced referees. Semi-finals and finals are on Saturday afternoon at the University of Toronto Athletic Centre.

New this year is the Unified Basketball division, where Special Olympics athletes and students from St. Andrew’s College and Havergal College will compete in an integrated six-team division within the Bay Street Hoops tournament on Saturday at University of Toronto.

In addition to the tournament, there’s also a “Tip-off” event that includes the Mazda Shoot-for-a-Car competition held at First Canadian Place on Thursday, March 27 at noon; a children’s basketball clinic with Raptor’s coach Sam Mitchell on Saturday, March 29 at 2 p.m.; and a Post-Game Party that will includes dinner and a silent auction. The Post-Game Party is open to everyone (you don’t have to attend the tournament)-- tickets cost $20 and it’s held at the Steam Whistle Brewery.

For more information on the tournament, to sign up a team, or to get tickets for the Post-Game Party visit the Bay Street Hoops website or contact us.