Former Badger Brian Butch hosting benefit basketball camp for Fox Valley tornado relief

APPLETON, Wis. (WMTV) - The devastation left behind by the Fox Valley tornado earlier this week has touched communities across Wisconsin—and for one former Wisconsin Badgers basketball star, the impact hit close to home.

Now, Brian Butch is looking to give back in the best way he knows how: on the basketball court.

Butch, a former Badger standout, is partnering with Sweat Equity Basketball to host a benefit basketball camp to raise critical funds for those in need.

The benefit camp is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6, and will take place in the morning at the Community First Champions Center in Appleton. All funds raised during the event will benefit the United Way and the Community Foundation’s Community Response Fund.

“This is the beautiful thing about this state of Wisconsin,” Butch said. “Everybody stands up for everybody. I know that there have been people from all over Milwaukee, Madison, the western side of the state bringing water, helping out in any way possible. And this is just another example where if we can get people from all over to come to a camp and be a part of it and make a donation, let’s do it.”

The camp is free to attend, but donations are gladly accepted to help those in the Fox Valley get back on their feet.

Event Details:

• What: Brian Butch Benefit Basketball Camp (in partnership with Sweat Equity Basketball)
• When: Thursday, August 6, 2026 (Morning)
• Where: Community First Champions Center, Appleton, Wis.
• Cost: Free (Donations strongly encouraged)

How to Support:

• Registration: Sign up online at sweatequitybasketball.com
• Direct Donations: If you cannot attend but still want to help, you can send donations via Venmo to @sweatequitybasketball 

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