LEAGUES AND TOURNAMENTS
The Mofufus Basketball
League orginally started around 2001-02 by Johnny Phan & Kevin
Su. At that time, the league only had one Open division, usually
consisting of 8 - 10 teams. After the departure of Mr. Kevin
Su (moved to Hawaii for school in 2004), Kenny Phan decided to
take over in his absence. The league implemented it's website
(first version with partial stats) in the Summer of 2005. As
of Winter 2006, the league expanded to 3 divisions and a total
of 20 teams with a new website that provided full stats (except
turnovers), schedules, results & etc. The league and number
of divisions have consistenly grown each season. The league now
runs year-round (Winter, Summer & Fall) and is open to all.
As of Summer 2007, there will be 9 divisions and a total of 72
teams. Asides from their leagues, the Mofufus Basketball Organization
also holds their annual Halloween Tournament (Asian Americans
only) at the end of each October. The 1st annual tournament began
in 2005 with 3 divisions and 22 teams and we hope to grow each
year.
We strive to provide a
well organized atmosphere with a safe, fair and competitive environment.
HISTORY: THE ORIGIN OF
THE MOFUFUS
The beginning…
The year was
1997. Two of the Alpine Striders’ most talented
guards of the celebrated class of 94-95 prep team are in their second
year in college and had taken their game and academic pursuits to
the playing grounds of Cal Poly Pomona. Johnny Phan (Bassett HS 94',
DIV 4 CIF CHAMPS) was fresh off a triumphant CIF winning season
and making his mark among the Bronco student body. In contrast,
Kenny Phan (Mark Keppel HS 95', All CIF) managed to stay under
the radar only to surface with the arrival of Alpine teammates,
David “Truck” Tran
and Danny Woo to Cal Poly. Recognizing that we had a core of Alpine
players at Poly, the quartet decided to assemble a team for the upcoming
intramural season to keep their games sharp.
2 new faces,
a familiar friend, and the alter-ego…
Added to the
team were 2 smooth and sharp shooting guards John Aytona and Remberto “Birdie” Quintana. Not only did their games
prove to be assets, these two epitomized the classy and team oriented
attitudes that Kenny and Danny were searching for. To round off the
team, Kerry “ Grand Canyon” Lam, a former Alpine stud
came out of retirement and offered his services. All we needed now
was a name for our team. Several suggestions were considered and
discarded but we finally settled on a name that would eventually
be subject to widespread speculation of its etymology. For a long
time many wondered what a Mofufu was. Is it an animal? Is it simply
a clever acronym to conceal a more vulgar expression? Or is it a
liberating exclamation announcing our adolescent cry to take a break
from Alpine’s discipline and structure (More Fun For us)? The
answer is a bit anticlimactic but does preserve a sentimental attachment
for one particular member of the Mofufus. Ask them, maybe they will
tell you.
IM champs and
countless championship t-shirts later…
The first Mofufus
team ever assembled completed their first season together with
an intramural title. The following year, our team took part in
several other college tournaments and expanded our roster. Joining
us were fellow Alpine teammates, Kevin Su, resident stud, David “Bubba” Su, and Dave “Mankind” Reyes.
The sharp shooting brother tandem added even more depth and “Mankind” gave
us an inside offensive presence that our guard dominated team never
had. Several other friends would wind up playing for the Mofufus
along the way including “Tall” Daniel Liu (eventually
played for UCSD), Albert “Dirk” Chen (UC Irvine walk-on),
Benny Hoang (Cal State LA pg), and Song “Nike” Cun (starting
pg Occidental, eventual NCAA Div. III Elite 8 participant). Shortly
after the founding of Mofufus, a Minor team was formed. With a core
of the Twins (Daniel and David Duong), Peter Wang, Sai Fong, and
Stanley Han, all this team needed was some star power and veteran
presence. Sweet shooting lefty John Lieu and lightning quick Lamgee
Wong provided some much needed offensive punch. Mike Huynh was a
welcomed addition providing some inside toughness. Rounding off the
original minors team was David “Bubba” Su and “Victor” Vi
Ly. True to Mofufus fashion, the Minor team debuted with a championship
in the Irvine tournament.
The Mofufus have captured numerous championships and thrived in
dramatic situations. But in retrospect, the camaraderie and friendships
we have forged over the years are what truly define the essence of
Mofufus Basketball.
Random memories
in Mofufus Lore…
The first time
I ever step foot in the basketball gym in Cal Poly, Johnny Phan
was greeted with a chorus of “basketball God, we
are not worthy,” by an entourage of people who interrupted
their activity to pay their respects to Johnny. Amazing…
The Mofufus Major
team had played in the Santa Barbara Nikkei Tournament since its
inception when fellow Alpine brother and teammate Johnny Diep founded
the event. In five tournaments, the Men’s Major
team won 4 titles and finished second the year they came up short.
Our team decided to hang it up for good after the last title in 03.
In that stretch, we compiled a 22-1 record.
While partying
in San Diego, Bubba was approached by a girl who asked him, “don’t
you play for Mofufus?”
Coach Danny Woo
