Tulsa Shock and YMCA Announce Partnership
May 8, 2015 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Tulsa Shock News Release
TULSA, Okla. - The Tulsa Shock and the YMCA of Greater Tulsa have reached a marketing partnership agreement for the summer of 2015 that will promote the values of health, fitness, education and character development.
The Shock is the presenting sponsor of the YMCA's summer youth basketball league, which is open to girls and boys ages three through 14. All youth players that sign up to play in the league will receive Shock game tickets, the chance to win Shock merchandise, and exclusive opportunities to meet and interact with Shock players and coaches.
"The YMCA partners with high-level athletic organizations in our community," said John Skinner, VP of Sports and Aquatics for the YMCA of Greater Tulsa. "Tulsa Shock players provide our Y athletes with a vision of where hard work and commitment can lead them. The partnership allows our program participants to attend games and gain exposure to professional sports as a spectator too, creating new fans. It's a great opportunity for all of us."
Additionally, players will be encouraged to participate in a creative writing assignment by submitting an essay titled "What Character in Sports Means to Me" focused on their favorite athlete and why the concepts of leadership, character, teamwork, work ethic and positive attitude are important in sports and in life. The player whose essay is judged to be the best will receive an award and be recognized at a Shock game.
Other awards will be given to players that demonstrate their qualities for each of these concepts, and they will also be recognized at the same Shock game. Registration for the YMCA Summer Youth Basketball League Presented by the Tulsa Shock is open now through May 18. The league begins June 13 and runs through August 1. Players may register for the summer youth basketball league at http://ymcatulsa.org/register.
"The YMCA is such a pivotal organization in our community and we are very excited to partner with them this summer because of our shared values in health, wellness, education and building good character," Shock team president Steve Swetoha said. "The YMCA offers so many solid programs for all ages and we look forward to working with Y kids this summer."
Shock coaches and trainers will also assist in the pre-season YMCA Coaches clinic on May 30 to help the volunteer youth coaches learn from professional coaches methods for running team practices and teaching players skills and drills.
The Shock will also assist in running the YMCA's Hot Shots Basketball Camp for girls and boys ages 10-12 taking place at the Westside YMCA campgrounds as part of their summer specialty camp series the week of June 15-19. Shock coaches and trainers will help design and run the camp's drills and skills training. Campers that register for the basketball camp will receive a ticket to a Shock game and a chance to meet Shock players during the camp. Players may register for the camp at http://ymcatulsa.org/register.
The YMCA Summer Camp will also host a Tulsa Shock Time Out For Fitness (TOFF) assembly for all campers during one of the camp's Fun Fridays. The TOFF assembly teaches kids about the value of healthy eating habits and fitness, features the Shock's mascot Volt, and is sponsored Williams, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and American Fidelity Assurance Company. The Y summer camps run from May 26 (the day after Memorial Day) through August 14. Information about all the YMCA's camps may be found at http://ymcatulsa.org/camps.
The Shock's home opener is Saturday, June 6 vs. Chicago Sky at the BOK Center. Tip-off is at 7:00 pm CT. Tickets are on sale now at tulsashock.net or at 918-949-9700.
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