ABOUT US
Established in Kenosha, WI, home of the Pierhead Lighthouse, the Lighthouse Basketball Camp has been created to foster the optimal camp environment based on development and competition. We believe in providing a professional setting where players and teams can showcase their true talents and build team chemistry in preparation for their high school and collegiate seasons.
Our mission is simple. We aspire to serve the game, students, and officials in a positive environment focused on quality repetitions and feedback. This is why we have partnered with Carthage College to host this event. They share our mission to continue to positively impact and grow the game of basketball in our area, both on the competition and officiating side.
In addition to providing quality opportunities for team and individual growth towards the players, we are also partnering with the best area officials in the professional, collegiate, and high school ranks to train and develop more quality referees in the area. As the national shortage of referees continues and impacts all levels of amateur sports, we are stepping up to help provide the right education and guidance to reverse the trend so that the game of basketball can continue to positively grow in our area!
If you would like to be a part of this mission, please sign up and secure your spot soon, as team and official registrations are expected to fill up fast! If you would like to make a positive impact on the game of basketball in a different way as a potential sponsor or vendor, please contact the Lighthouse Basketball Camp leadership team at [email protected].
We look forward to hearing from you! Together we can make an impact to build the game of basketball in the best way forward!
Let us serve as your beacon to make positive change!
Matthew T Hardy
Matt completed a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1982.
Matt is the Director of Operations for H & H sports LLC. As Director of Operations, Matt is in charge of training and assigning basketball officials for the Kenosha Boys and Girls club and the Racine Lakeshore Officiating Association (RLOA).
Matt just finished his fourth season Officiating NCAA women’s college basketball in the IL/WI Skyway Conference.
In addition to the NCAA Skyway conference, Matt also just finished his 13th season officiating high school basketball for the WIAA, where he was selected to work the WIAA state girls tournament finals three times (2022, 2024, 2025). Matt is also Illinois High School Association (IHSA) licensed for basketball and football.
In addition to officiating, Matt is also starting his 29th year coaching track and field at Kenosha Bradford high school.
Erik Aellig
Erik completed an MBA from the University of Wisconsin in 2020 and a BBA double major in Finance & Entrepreneurship from UW-Whitewater in 2014
Erik just finished his third season as a referee in the NBA G League during the 2024-25 season. As a part of the NBA G League staff, he has also officiated in annual NBA Summer League games and has been selected to officiate in the Basketball Africa League.
In addition to the NBA G League, Erik completed his 4th season as a referee for Athletes Unlimited and was also a part of the officiating staff for the inaugural season of Unrivaled basketball. Erik has also officiated small college basketball for all the WI/IL area NCAA conferences.
Prior to officiating men’s collegiate basketball, he officiated women’s collegiate basketball for six years beginning in 2011. In 2022, Erik retired from 13 seasons of officiating high school basketball for the WIAA, where he was selected to work the WIAA State Boys Tournament four times (2021, 2020, 2019, and 2017).
In addition to officiating on the floor, Erik enjoys helping others develop in their officiating endeavors. He was formerly the Director of Referee Operations for the Wisconsin Basketball League from 2020-2022. While in this role, Erik trained a staff of 30+ referees and helped develop 12+ referees to be identified by the NBA scouting program as potential candidates in their summer training sessions.
During his time at UW-Whitewater, Erik was also the coordinator of basketball officials for the intramural program. During his time in the intramural program, Erik achieved the Wisconsin Intramural & Recreation Sports Association (“WIRSA”) Most Valuable Official award two consecutive years in the state WIRSA basketball tournaments of 2010 and 2011. He also helped develop several officials into becoming prominent local high school and collegiate referees in Wisconsin.
