Obi Toppin and Indiana Pacers mascot Boomer brought a wave of joy and nostalgia to the University of Dayton on Friday, showing up for a memorable luau party that brought students, alumni, and Dayton community members together under the late-summer sun. The event, hosted by CareSource, turned into a heartfelt homecoming for the former Dayton Flyers star, who was embraced by fans like a local hero returning to his roots. While many expected the appearance to be a brief PR stop, it evolved into something far more personal and profound for everyone involved—particularly for Toppin, who used the moment to connect deeply with the people and places that shaped his rise to NBA stardom.
CareSource, a nonprofit managed care company headquartered in Dayton, organized the luau not only to engage the local community but also to champion wellness and positivity before the fall semester kicks off. When they announced Obi Toppin and Boomer as surprise guests, word spread quickly across campus and beyond. By the time the luau got underway, the turnout had swelled to numbers that rivaled pep rallies. Students in grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts lined up to meet Toppin, while younger fans clutched basketballs, sneakers, and posters, hoping to snag autographs from the 2022 NBA Dunk Contest champion.
Toppin didn’t disappoint. Flashing his signature smile, he posed for photos, signed memorabilia, and even took the mic to speak to the crowd. The tone he struck was humble and heartfelt. “Dayton will always be home to me,” he said, as cheers erupted. “Everything I’ve been able to accomplish in the NBA started here. The people, the coaches, my teammates—you all helped me become who I am today. I’m just grateful to be back.” There was a sincerity to his words that transcended mere nostalgia. Even in his professional prime, Toppin seemed grounded in the gratitude of his journey.
While his NBA career has taken him from the bright lights of Madison Square Garden to the high-powered floor of the Indiana Pacers’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Toppin’s Dayton roots remain central to his identity. In many ways, his return to the university wasn’t just about giving back—it was about reconnecting with the core of who he is. Long before the packed NBA arenas and highlight reels, Toppin was a relative unknown, a late bloomer who found his stride at the University of Dayton under coach Anthony Grant. His 2019–2020 season was one of the most electrifying in school history, leading the Flyers to a 29-2 record and earning him the Naismith College Player of the Year Award.
The luau was also a nod to Toppin’s joyful playing style, which resonates with the island vibes of the event. With Boomer joining in the festivities—dancing, performing flips, and hyping the crowd—the atmosphere was festive but also deeply celebratory of Dayton’s proud basketball tradition. Many alumni reflected on the last time Toppin played on campus. It was a magical era cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Flyers were projected to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament before the season was canceled. That heartbreak still lingers for some, but Toppin’s return helped soften the memory, offering a form of closure that celebrated what was, rather than mourned what could have been.
Children gravitated toward Boomer’s antics, while parents and faculty enjoyed catered food and entertainment under colorful tents. CareSource, which has worked extensively on health and community-building initiatives in the Dayton area, emphasized the event’s mission: to foster a sense of unity and well-being. Having Toppin involved elevated that message, transforming the luau from a community outreach project into a symbolic reunion between Dayton’s past and present. For many students who weren’t yet enrolled when Toppin played, it was their first live encounter with a figure whose legacy they’d only heard about through highlight clips and university lore.
There were poignant moments too. Toppin visited the Flyers locker room and spoke with the current men’s basketball team, giving them a blend of encouragement and realism. “Work ethic and staying humble—those are the things that keep you going,” he told the young players. “You’re going to face setbacks, doubts, and people who don’t believe in you. But if you keep showing up and putting in the work, anything is possible. Look around. I’m proof of that.” His words hit home, especially for players navigating the pressures of college athletics in the transfer portal era, where loyalty and patience are sometimes in short supply.
Pacers mascot Boomer, known for his gymnastic stunts and infectious energy, added a layer of NBA flavor to the afternoon. His presence symbolized a new chapter in Toppin’s career—a transition from his early years with the New York Knicks to a promising role in Indiana. While some fans in Dayton still associate him with the Big Apple, many have embraced his growth with the Pacers, where his minutes and offensive freedom increased during the 2024–2025 season. There’s buzz that the Pacers plan to extend Toppin long-term, seeing him as an integral piece in their youthful core alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin.
Toppin didn’t discuss contracts or trades during the event, but he did hint at feeling more comfortable in Indiana’s system. “It’s been a great fit,” he said casually to a small group of reporters. “I feel like I’m able to play my game and contribute in ways that matter. But regardless of where I go, Dayton is always going to be the blueprint for how I carry myself as a player and as a person.” That message resonated with older alumni who had watched his development firsthand. Many noted how he’s matured, not just physically and professionally, but emotionally. His presence was calm, confident, and genuine—traits often lacking in stars navigating the chaotic world of modern professional sports.
The luau also featured a raffle for signed Pacers merchandise, and Toppin donated a game-worn pair of sneakers from his breakout performance against the Milwaukee Bucks in March. The lucky winner, a 10-year-old named Marcus, looked stunned when Toppin bent down to hand him the sneakers himself. “You keep working hard, alright?” Toppin said, patting the boy’s shoulder. It was a small moment, but one that captured the spirit of the event: connection, encouragement, and shared joy.
For the University of Dayton, having Toppin back on campus was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when talent meets opportunity in the right environment. Toppin’s journey from a virtually unrecruited prospect to a top-10 NBA draft pick is etched into the university’s basketball lore. It also serves as a recruiting tool and a beacon for future Flyers. Dayton’s coaching staff knows that appearances like this boost morale, fan engagement, and even donations. But more importantly, it reinforces the school’s reputation as a place where greatness can emerge unexpectedly.
There’s also something to be said about timing. With college basketball just a few months away, and NBA training camps on the horizon, this moment offered a rare lull in the professional calendar that allowed Toppin to make the trip. It wasn’t mandated. It wasn’t a sponsorship requirement. It was personal. That authenticity radiated throughout the afternoon. Fans didn’t just feel like they were meeting an NBA player—they felt like they were reuniting with family.
As the sun set on the luau, with music still playing and families lingering around picnic tables, the air was thick with gratitude. Toppin’s sendoff was as low-key as his arrival—no pomp, no exit music. Just waves, hugs, and dozens of people whispering, “That’s Obi Toppin. He’s one of us.” In a sports world often dominated by drama and distance between players and fans, this event was refreshingly intimate. It was a community wrapping its arms around one of its own and being embraced in return.
Obi Toppin left the luau with a Dayton Flyers T-shirt in one hand and a plate of grilled pineapple in the other, blending perfectly into the scene like he’d never left. Boomer, still entertaining a group of toddlers with a dance-off, capped the night with one final flip that sent the crowd into a cheer. It was a celebration not of celebrity, but of belonging. For Dayton, Toppin is not just an alumnus—he’s a symbol of hope, of transformation, and of what can happen when dreams are nurtured in the right soil. The luau was more than a party. It was a reminder that some bonds don’t fade—they only grow stronger with time.
