Hoops Family Children’s Hospital, Marshall University Athletics and United Bank join for United for Hoops program for pediatric patients

For the fourth consecutive year, Marshall University (MU) Athletics and United Bank have joined to support Hoops Family Children’s Hospital (HFCH) through the United for Hoops program. This partnership provides local pediatric patients the opportunity to serve as “Junior Captains” during each home game of the 2025 football season.

The 2025 Junior Captains are:

• Caitlin Carroll, a 14-year-old who had a traumatic injury, will be the junior captain for the Sept. 6 home game versus Missouri State University. Caitlin was injured in an ATV accident in July 2024, which resulted in a spinal cord fracture and dislocation and several other injuries to her body. She is proud to say she has beaten her 3-5% chance of survival from her accident. She is now in 9th grade at Winfield High School and loves to share her recovery journey on TikTok.
• Ama Umeh, a 9-year-old with IIH gastroparesis, hypothyroidism, and possible encephalopathy, will be the junior captain at the Sept. 13 game versus Eastern Kentucky University. Ama is in 4th grade at Our Lady of Fatima, and she loves to read and dance. She wants to be a pediatric neurosurgeon when she grows up.
• Elsie Smith, a 5-year-old who is in remission from Neuroblastoma, will be the junior captain for the Oct. 11 game versus Old Dominion University. Elsie was diagnosed with Stage 4, high-risk neuroblastoma in October 2022 and got to ring the bell signaling she is cancer-free in March 2024. Elsie is in kindergarten, loves to attend Bible class, sing hymns and play with dolls. She is currently obsessed with Star Wars, especially Darth Vader.
• Ayden Watts, an 11-year-old with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, will be the junior captain at the Oct. 18 game versus Texas State University. Ayden is in the 4th grade at Milton Elementary School. He loves to sing and enjoys football, basketball and video games. He collects first responder patches and has more than 300.
• Eli Rice, an 11-year-old with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, will be the junior captain at the Nov. 8 game versus James Madison University. He was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis shortly after his first birthday. He is in the 6th grade at Ashland Middle School, loves to play basketball and is a Philadelphia Eagles fan.
• Maggie Pauley, a 3-year-old who recovered from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, will be the junior captain for the Nov. 29 game versus Georgia Southern. Maggie continues to meet all her milestones and is a thriving, healthy little girl. She loves Disney princesses, animals and taking walks in the park with her best friend. 

Each junior captain will be a guest of honor during a scheduled MU football practice, where they will receive a tour and have an opportunity to meet the team. They will join the team captains at the 50-yard line for the coin toss before each home game and will be recognized on the video board.

As part of the United for Hoops program, United Bank has pledged to donate $10 for every point that MU scores throughout the 2025 season, benefiting the patients of HFCH.

This year, each junior captain is a Hoops Ambassador, which is a group of pediatric patients who receive or have received care at HFCH and choose to share their stories to inspire others. Throughout the year, they will take part in hospital events and lead the way in raising awareness and support for the areas of HFCH that matter most to them.

To learn more, visit www.mhnfoundations.org/initiatives/unitedforhoops.