BUCKHANNON — The summer of 2026 will mark the seventh year since the Upshur County Recreation Complex board of directors took over the annual Summer Basketball League in Buckhannon. This summer looks to be the most successful one yet, as UCRC has partnered with St. Joseph’s Hospital and Camp Mahonegon Event Center as sponsors of the newly expanded annual summer league, to be hosted at West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Rockefeller Center beginning Monday, June 29.
St. Joseph’s Hospital has agreed to be the league sponsor of what the UCRC board is dubbing the “Bobcat League”. This summer will be the first time UCRC will be offering a league like this, where there will be no limits to how many college players (current or former) are allowed to be on a team’s roster. This league looks to be highly competitive with high level basketball being played in the main gym of the Rockefeller Center on weekday nights. Team registration for this league is $550.
Camp Mahonegon Event Center, the former Boy Scout Camp location, was recently purchased by the Wendling family and will be available for rent for all kinds of events in the very near future. The Camp Mahonegon Event Center will be the league sponsor for the “Buccaneer League”. This league will continue with the same rules UCRC has used for their league since the inaugural season, and team registration is set at $350. Games will be held in the auxiliary gym of the Rockefeller Center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Coinciding with the Buccaneer League, UCRC is also excited to announce that they have partnered with Flame 304 to offer a Ladies Basketball Night. Any female who is interested in coming out and competing on the hardwood is invited to register and come out to compete against the Flame 304 Girls Travel Basketball Team. They will scrimmage against and with Flame 304’s girls, on either Tuesday or Thursday evenings. Each female registering will also be given a jersey just like the summer league players get. Registration fees for the ladies will be $30 per athlete.
“I am extremely excited for this upcoming season! We are so happy to be able to partner with so many great organizations and businesses to make this league bigger than ever. It has always been our goal to eventually expand our league, and with the help of West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Athletic Director, we are now able to make that happen,” said UCRC Board President Mitchell Shaw.
Director of Marketing & PR at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Matt Scott, said “St. Joseph’s Hospital is proud to support initiatives like the UCRC Summer Basketball League that bring people together and promote active, healthy lifestyles. Opportunities like this not only strengthe our community, but also reflect our commitment to overall wellness beyond the walls of the hospital.”
Charity Wendling, owner/operator of Camp Mahonegon Event Center, said “Camp Mahonegon Event Center is proud to support the UCRC summer basketball league. The Wendlings have always focused on family and community. I am pleased that this new partnership will allow us to continue that.”
For more information on how to register, team captains are encouraged to reach out to Mitchell Shaw. Also, follow Upshur County Recreation Complex on Facebook to stay up to date and check out our website at ucrcwv.org for more information.
