In December of 1998 Prime Events, in association with Sam Botta, created a coed basketball showcase at Egg Harbor Township High School.
They had created The Girls Shootout in February of 1996 at EHT, the first multi-day showcase for girls basketball in New Jersey.
The Shootout featured future WNBA all stars and Olympic Gold Medalists like Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Crystal Langhorne, Nicky Anosike, Asja Jones & Matee Ajavon.
You can read more about the Girls Shootout HERE.
Tipoff Weekend was held at EHT rhrough 2001, moved to Holy Spirit in 2002 and to The Ventnor Education Community Complex the next two seasons. In 2005 the showcase moved
to Ocean City High School's new gym where it was sponsored by Ocean City PBA, Local No. 61.
At the end of the 2025 Tipoff Weekend it was announced that - beginning in 2026 - the showcase would be renamed John Bruno Tipoff Weekend. Bruno entered the 2025-26 school year
with 512 career wins, the most in Ocean City history, the 4th most in Cape-Atlantic League history and 14th in South Jersey history. His teams have won two South Jersey championships
and played in five championship games, including the last three years. But the event was not only named for him because of his success as a coach, but also for the support he has
given to Tipoff Weekend throughout the years and his support of CAL basketball and Ocean City sports, in general.
JOHN BRUNO
TIPOFF WEEKEND
Presented by the Ocean City PBA
