SIMPLY ASTONISHING
Our two, soon to be three facilities are in a category of their own.
We are extremely blessed to have such great venues to call our home.
KETTLESTONE CENTRAL
SPORTS COMPLEX
Coming to Waukee in 2025.
This complex will help continue the game
in Central Iowa.
ABOUT ZACHARY
INSPIRATION FOR FOUNDATION
He was the boy with “beautiful hair and trusting eyes.” The first-born child of Dickson and Luann Jensen, baby Zachary was loved by his large, extended family and by his parents’ many friends.
It was nine days before Christmas when he became ill. Doctors ran inconclusive tests, and three days later, Dickson & Luann discovered blood in Zachary’s diapers. X-rays determined he was suffering from intussusception, a condition where one portion of the bowel slides into the next, much like the pieces of a telescope. He was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in Iowa City. Despite several surgeries, Zachary’s condition became critical.
He fought hard in the following days, but his struggles could not overcome the need for large amounts of medicine and other assisted devices like a respirator. He was alive, but it became clear that he couldn’t do it on his own.
Dickson and Luann and their extended families prayed and agonized as they sang to and cried over Zachary. He had fought a noble fight far beyond what the best medical minds could understand. He seemed as committed to hold on to his parents as they were to hold on to him. But the time to make the decision came, and after finding peace through prayer, Dickson and Luann decided to stop the medicine and shut down the respirator. It was the hardest decision of their lives.
Zachary lived on this earth for four months and five days. His time on earth was short, but his impact on many lives continues today. Zach’s life helps us understand how short life on earth can be and how important it is for us to use our lives to be bold sharing Jesus with you all. We believe the Bible teaches that God loves all of us (John 3:16). We also believe that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). Therefore, our sin has separated us from God, and God gave Jesus to bring us back together (Romans 6:23). However, we must accept Jesus into our hearts by believing with our minds and confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9). Accepting Jesus into your life assures you of a home in heaven; however, it does not promise an easy life on earth. Although we greatly miss Zachary, we feel so blessed to have had him in our lives.
ABOUT CANYON
Canyon Dane Hopkins, best known as ‘Moose’ was born Jan 9, 1998 to parents Monte & Trish Hopkins and brother Denton in Earlham. The Hopkins family is a huge sports family, especially basketball. Canyon first played at the West Towne Courts facility as a 6th grader with his local school team, coached by his dad. Moose stood out on the court that weekend amongst the other 6th graders, with his skill, competitiveness but honestly, mostly his size. Moose was a big boy growing up and after watching him for a few years and getting to know him and his family, Moose joined the Attack program in the 9th grade and forever was a part of our Attack family. For the next 3 seasons, Canyon was a proud member of All Iowa Attack and the Hopkins family made the trip from Earlham to Ames twice a week for practices and tournaments. Canyon and his entire family were unwavering in their commitment and support of All Iowa Attack throughout the years. Canyon was the best teammate anyone could ask for, one of the most coachable players that has been through the program and a very talented hard working basketball player. The Hopkins family as a whole is one of the most selfless families we’ve had, always volunteering to help others on Canyon’s team and give back to the program in any way possible. Through the game of basketball we have made lifelong memories with Canyon and the Hopkins family on and off the court that will forever be some of the best memories in our lives. Simply put, Canyon was one of the best to wear the Attack uniform and he and his family are the prime example of what it means to be a member of the Attack family.
Canyon was a vital member of our 2016 class. He attended Earlham High School where he was a standout four-sport athlete and student. He led Earlham’s basketball team all four years of his high school career, including taking them to the State tournament during his junior season. Playing at a smaller school, Canyon was the biggest kid in the school and the biggest player on court, because of this, he became very well known throughout the years to so many. With the way he handled himself, Canyon was very popular and well respected by all of the players and fans of the schools he competed against. Upon graduating in May 2016, Canyon went to Buena Vista University to play basketball for the Beavers. He made an immediate impact on the program as a freshman and continued that into his sophomore season. Canyon was voted team captain heading into his junior year. In two years, he had integrated himself as a staple in the Buena Vista community with his infectious smile and attitude, he was working extremely hard on the court and in the classroom and had positioned himself for a great junior and senior year at a place that meant so much to him. Unfortunately, this would all change with some devastating news.
There is so much to be learned from the life of Canyon ‘Moose’ Hopkins. Moose was the type of kid you wanted your son to be friends or teammates with, the type of kid you wanted your daughter to date, the type of kid you wanted your son to become. He was a role model to so many in every community he was a part of. His smile could light up a room without trying. He was the fiercest of competitors but the kindest of teammates. He was our teammate, player, friend, and family. We miss him greatly every day but his legacy will remain a part of the Attack family forever!
On August 23, 2018, Canyon was diagnosed with a rare form of incurable terminal stage 4 Synovial Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Canyon was not going to let the news get him down, he did what Moose always did, he put a smile on his face and was determined to put up a fight. He chose to begin chemo therapy treatments right away. With his family and long time girlfriend, Chelsea, by his side every step of the way, Canyon endured the pain and struggles of daily hospital visits, overnight stays, multiple rounds of chemo treatments, radiation, and clinical trials for the next 14 months. During this time there were good days but there were many days of sickness and pain from the treatments, but Moose was always positive and had a smile on his face, uplifting those in his presence. It was an unbelievable thing to watch, a 21 year old fighting for his life lift up and encourage those around him on a daily basis, always being the light of the room no matter where he was. Canyon was a fighter and he was just being Canyon throughout the whole process – strong, determined and concerned about others more than himself. The Hopkins family was the model of showing love and support for their son through the worst of times. They relied on their faith in God to help them though the tough times and constantly were uplifting those who were actually trying to support them. The support for Canyon was unending, showing just how huge of an impact he had on so many in just 21 short years of life. The phrases #MooseStrong and #FaithOverFear were used daily by the support system Canyon had and really epitomize the fight and faith that Canyon and his family stood for. Unfortunately after 14 months of fighting the cancer, Canyon passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, October 24, 2019.
