The 8th Annual Basketball Showcase put on by the I.C.Change foundation was completed this past June in Northeast Ohio, continuing a mission that has always been about much more than basketball.
For the second consecutive year, the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase awarded multiple scholarships to participants through the Mary E. Case Scholarship Award. To be considered, student-athletes must receive an opportunity from a college coach connected to the showcase and submit an essay explaining why they should be selected for the scholarship.
The scholarship was created in honor of the late Mary “Mimi” Case, a woman whose life was dedicated to education, encouragement, and helping young people reach their full potential.
Mimi Case taught physical education at Bell High School in Los Angeles before later becoming a school counselor after earning her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education Administration. Throughout her career, she earned the respect of students, colleagues, and members of the community because of her energy, compassion, and passion for helping young people.
She took a particular interest in students who were neglected, underserved, or simply needed someone to believe in them. For decades, she became a favorite teacher, counselor, mentor, and positive influence to countless students.
Mimi, who was related to a former participant in the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase, strongly believed in helping others. Donations made in her honor have allowed her legacy to continue by investing in the youth of today and helping create a better tomorrow.
This year, two student-athletes were selected to receive the Mary E. Case Scholarship Award: Dominic Bell and Vincent Mauro. Each will receive a total scholarship award of $1,750.
Dominic Bell: Continuing to Chase the Dream
Dominic Bell was a standout basketball player at Lawrence School in Sagamore Hills, Ohio, where he scored more than 900 points during his high school career.
Following high school, Bell continued his basketball journey at RTS Academy in Pennsylvania. After completing his first year at RTS, he was still searching for an opportunity to continue playing the game he loves at the college level.
That search led him to apply for the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase in June.
Bell made the most of his opportunity.
He was selected as one of the showcase’s Top 10 participants and caught the attention of Lorain County Community College men’s basketball coach Isaiah Cavaco.
Cavaco entered his first season leading the Commodores after accumulating more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience, including a 17-year tenure at nearby Oberlin College and a stint at Earlham College.
After receiving an opportunity from Lorain County Community College, Bell submitted his scholarship essay and was selected to receive the $1,750 Mary E. Case Scholarship Award.
Bell now enters the upcoming season excited about what lies ahead. His goal is to help the Commodores compete successfully at the NJCAA Region 12 Division III level while continuing to develop his game and earn future opportunities at the NAIA, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, or USCAA levels.
His story represents exactly what the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase was created to provide: an opportunity for an overlooked student-athlete to be seen.
Vincent Mauro: Proving Himself Again
The second Mary E. Case Scholarship Award recipient is Vincent Mauro.
Mauro arrived at the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase after completing his first year at Miami University Hamilton, a USCAA D2 program. The Harriers were coming off a tremendous season in which they finished as national championship runner-up.
Following the departure of Mike Piatt, former volunteer assistant Chris Jones was promoted to lead the men’s basketball program.
Jones encouraged Mauro to submit his nomination for the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase so he could test himself against talented competition and continue working toward earning his place with Miami Hamilton for the 2026-27 season.
Nothing had been guaranteed.
With Jones continuing to bring talented student-athletes into the program, Mauro understood that he would have to compete for his opportunity.
That was nothing new for him.
Mauro did not even make the varsity basketball team during his high school career at Pickerington High School Central. Instead of allowing that disappointment to define him, he continued working, continued believing, and continued searching for another opportunity.
At the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase, Mauro once again proved that persistence matters.
After earning his opportunity with Miami Hamilton, Mauro submitted an essay explaining why he should be considered for the Mary E. Case Scholarship Award. His story, perseverance, and essay made an impression, and he was selected to receive the $1,750 scholarship.
His journey is another reminder that a player’s story does not have to end because one coach, one team, or one moment says no.
Sometimes, a student-athlete simply needs another opportunity.
Bigger Than a One-Day Showcase
Providing scholarship money is only part of what the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase hopes to accomplish.
“We aren’t just a one-day event,” said showcase founder Ian Cunningham. “Everyone involved is available to help these young men, as well as our other past participants. We want to continue being available to give advice, offer support, and be an ear whenever one of our student-athletes needs a little help.”
That philosophy has helped shape the identity of the showcase.
The basketball games may last one day, but the relationships do not have to end when the final buzzer sounds.
Whether it means connecting a player with a college coach, providing encouragement, giving advice, highlighting former participants, helping with scholarship opportunities, or simply checking in, the goal is to build relationships that continue after the event.
It is why the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase continues to live by the belief that what happens through the event is bigger than sports.
A New Format Coming in 2027
The I.C. Change Basketball Showcase will also take another major step forward in 2027.
After previously operating primarily as a boy’s showcase, next year’s event will bring together 32 young women and 32 young men on the same day.
The change is designed not only to create opportunities for more student-athletes, but also to make attending the event more beneficial and affordable for college programs.
By having talented male and female prospects competing at the same location on the same day, participating schools with both men’s and women’s basketball programs can evaluate multiple recruits while reducing recruiting and travel expenses.
It is another way the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase hopes to live up to its identity as:
“The Big Showcase for the Small Schools.”
The one-day event will feature talented student-athletes looking for opportunities at the NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA, NCCAA, JUCO, and other collegiate levels.
The showcase will also once again feature former NBA point guard Smush Parker, who has become an important part of the event and its mission of teaching, encouraging, and motivating the next generation.
Until then, the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase will continue searching for talented student-athletes to invite for 2027 while also spotlighting the young men and women who participated in this year’s boys’ and girls’ events.
For Dominic Bell and Vincent Mauro, the next chapter is already beginning.
And through the Mary E. Case Scholarship Award, the legacy of a woman who spent her life believing in young people will continue through the next generation of student-athletes.
I.C. Change Basketball Showcase
The Big Showcase for the Small Schools
Instagram: @icchangeshowcase
X: @iancle1
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