LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s a tradition that has been going on for 55 years: the summer basketball tournament known as the "Dirt Bowl" in Louisville.

What You Need To Know

  • This is the 55th year of the "Dirt Bowl" basketball tournament in Louisville, taking place at Shawnee Park

  • Games happen Saturdays and Sundays 

  • The 2024 tournament began June 8, with the championship set for Aug. 4 

  • Organizer Ravon Churchill said he's always looking to expand the tournament and connect those in the community

All summer, players and spectators have gathered at Shawnee Park to watch outdoor basketball.

It’s a tradition William Weaver, 36, has witnessed his whole life.

"Sunday is always a good day; it's the weekend," Weaver said. "But Sunday is always the day where everybody loved to come to the park, then on top of that, we have a 'Dirt Bowl' tournament."

He has lived in the Shawnee neighborhood since he was a kid.

"It's a different cloth of basketball when you come from playing in the gym all your life, compared to playing on the blacktop," he said. "It's a different type of grit. It's a different type of style of basketball, and trust me, it carries on ... to high school, college, even a professional level." 

While he has never played in the "Dirt Bowl," Weaver has been a lifelong spectator and supporter. He now brings his 11-year-old son, Elijah Weaver, to the same court.

Elijah Weaver, 11, practices basketball on the same court that hosts the annual "Dirt Bowl." The basketball tournament has been a Louisville summer staple for 55 years. (Spectrum News 1/Khyati Patel)

"I just like watching the 'Dirt Bowl,'" Elijah said. "It is fun. It's just fun to watch, and it's hot outside, in the perfect weather."

For organizer Ravon Churchill, the mission is to get better. He said he has attended the event for 40-plus years and is always hoping to help it grow. 

"Every Saturday and Sunday, we have young people, we have men; this weekend, the women start," Churchill said. "We have over 400 players this year (and) 34 teams this year, so we're growing and ever-growing at a rapid pace." 

It creates a space to develop grit and discipline while having some fun.

"It's cool, and basketball is what it's about," Churchill said. "But community is what it's about. Every single neighborhood is represented in this park every single Saturday and Sunday. They come from as far as West Park Road and as close as West Market."

For Weaver, basketball and the "Dirt Bowl" are games of discipline. He called it his "palace of discipline."

Tournament games for the Louisville "Dirt Bowl" happen each Saturday and Sunday at Shawnee Park, with the final championship game Aug. 4.

Related Stories