The military members are either wounded, ill or injured, and the annual event was created to honor the brave men and women in uniform for their service. Soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard also attended this year’s event and received courtside seats.
“I think it’s great,” Dallas Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said. “The Mavs have done this program for a long time, it’s been very successful, and I also think it’s great to have them right there on the floor and be able to interact with them afterward.”
[Related: In photos: Mavs players visit with military after the game]
Seats for Soldiers is considered one of the most heartwarming events in professional sports as the franchise thanks the military for their service. The one-of-a-kind experience returned to Dallas after a two-season (2020-21, ’21-22) break due to the pandemic.
Dallas picked up a 111-105 victory and the Mavs improved to 14-2 all-time in Seats for Soldiers games.
“Of course we noticed them,” Dallas Mavs superstar Luka Dončić said with a smile after Monday’s win. “It’s obviously a very special night because we didn’t have it for two years now.”
After dropping a 53-point masterpiece and dazzling the home crowd, Dončić stayed behind after the game to shake hands and pose for pictures with every service member. All of his teammates did the same.
The concept for Seats for Soldiers originated with Dallas Mavericks season ticket holders Neal and Jamie Hawks, who, along with other front-row season ticket holders, have donated their seats – valued at over $400,000 – year after year to host the wounded service members.
After the game, the military personnel waited on court to meet the Mavericks players, CEO Cynt Marshall, dancers, and the ManiAACs. Mavs governor Mark Cuban went around and visited with everyone courtside before and after the game.
“After a two-season hiatus, we are honored to bring back Seats for Soldiers as a token of our appreciation to the brave men and women in uniform,” Cuban said. “The game of basketball, and sports in general, would not be possible without the sacrifice of these service members, and this night is our way to recognize them.”
Texas Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jean-Pierre Sanders landed a premium seat under the goal on the Mavs’ bench side. He said it was a fantastic night from start to finish.
“This is my first time to attend Seats for Soldiers, and I’m so glad I came,” Staff Sgt. Sanders said. “This was a great, great experience. This has been the best event that I’ve attended. I told another soldier that sitting this close to the court was such a special experience. Then we got to meet Mark Cuban, and you see him on television, but to see him in real life, and he’s right beside you, is just wild.”
Staff Sgt. Sanders said it was fun because the players interacted and talked to the soldiers throughout the game. The game got chippy at times, which made it even more fun, he said.
The day started with the Brooke Army Medical Center service members boarding an American Airlines charter flight from San Antonio to Dallas-Fort Worth, with American’s pilots and flight attendants volunteering their time for the special flight.
After arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the service members received a hero’s welcome and then traveled to downtown Dallas for a four-course dinner, free of charge, hosted by Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse.
From there, they traveled to the game by charter bus.
“The whole thing was just so nice,” Staff Sgt. Sanders said, “and then you add on that Luka scored 53 points? You can’t top it. The TV doesn’t do it justice the way Luka plays. He makes it look so easy. When he had 24 points in the first quarter, I was like ‘dang, he already got 24?’ He just makes it look so easy. This entire night was amazing.”
Marshall, Dallas Mavs executives and NBA legend Rolando Blackman ate dinner with the service members before the game. Several people also spoke to the men and women in uniform, thanking them for their dedication to the country.
After the game, Marshall stuck around to make sure all the soldiers had pictures with the players and memories to last a lifetime. Blackman said the event is great for everyone.
“It’s important to give the soldiers, both men and women, the opportunity to know how much we care about them and how much we think about them,” Blackman said. “They’re very much a part of our fabric, and we love them very much.”
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