McDonalds Invitational

This year marks the renewal of the McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament after the pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. Organized 2003, by Ben Meador, the 2021 MTI marks the 18th year of the tournament.

The McDonald’s Texas Invitational High School Basketball Tournament has grown in size and prominence as one of the largest and most well-known basketball tournaments in the state. Often, the road to a state championship begins here as some of the top teams and players in the state kick off their seasons.

Featuring 48 boy’s teams and 32 girl’s teams, the MTI has raised more than $2.5 million since its inception in 2003. Proceeds from the tournament go toward mini-grants for teachers in Pasadena ISD and Deer Park ISD to support innovative teaching strategies and programs that directly benefit the children of our two communities.

Our speaker today is Dr. Kirk Lewis who retired as Pasadena ISD superintendent in 2016. Lewis took over as chairman of the MTI when Meador “retired” in 2015. Since his retirement after 30 years with Pasadena ISD, Lewis taught doctoral courses at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, worked as an educational consultant, and served a five-month stint as interim superintendent in Crosby ISD in 2018. Lewis remains connected with the Pasadena community as a volunteer with his church and other community organizations.

Lewis is also an author of three faith-based books and currently publishes a bi-monthly Bible Study blog on his website at www.drkirklewis.com. He is now officially a “struggling artist” who dabbles in watercolor paintings. He enjoys golf and being play partners with four grandchildren.