In 2007, the Boston Celtics created "The Shamrock Shootout", an incredible event that allows participants the rare opportunity to shoot on the TD Banknorth Garden floor and compete for a chance to play against an All-Star team of Celtics legends in a halftime event. The best part? All money through the event benefits the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation. In 2007 alone, the team raised $250,000+ through the event.

How does the Shamrock Shootout work?

The Boston Celtics enable thirty-two (32) teams of five (5) participants the chance to test their basketball skills through an on-court competition:

• All five (5) team members have 45 seconds each to shoot five (5) basketballs from four (4) racks , for a possible score of 44
• Four (4) ball racks are placed at four designations: layup, free throw, foul line exended, and the three-point line
  • The foul line extended and three-point line shots each have a "money ball" shot (4 points and 5 points respectively)
  • All five (5) balls from each rack must be shot before advancing; the top 50% of teams advance to the next round 

Registrants can either select to enter with a VIP Parquet Package ($10,000 donation) or a Sharp Shooters Package ($5,000 donation) - each have a range of benefits. The Celtics are also offering a "Play-In" event for teams to compete with a donation commitment of $1,000.

Prizes for the First Place Winning Team Include:

• The chance to compete at halftime during the Celtics-Hawks game
• The chance to "Travel with the Team" for a 2008-09 away game
• Recognition and a photograph in the Boston Globe
• Pre-game courtside seats plus a picture at center court
• Premium tickets to watch the Celtics-Hawks game
• 2008 adidas warmups

This is an incredible event that should serve as a benchmark for all organizations/University athletic departments looking to develop an event to raise money.

See a clip of the 2007 Shamrock Shootout event below: