ABA expands to Bluefield, West Virginia
Published on July 15, 2008 under American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release
Indianapolis, IN. The American Basketball Association (ABA) today announced that it will add Bluefield, West Virginia to its growing roster of teams for the upcoming season beginning in December. According to Joe Newman, "We are very pleased and proud to have the West Virginia Blazers as part of the ABA; this is one of the most unusual ownership groups ever - and not only makes a major sports statement, but a major social statement. I'm not sure that anything quite like this has ever been done, but our hats are off to the State of West Virginia, the City of Bluefield and the Bluefield Housing Authority for undertaking such a great endeavor. We are excited."
The team will be owned by the Bluefield Housing Authority, a government agency operating in Mercer County, WV. The agency office is located in the City of Bluefield WV. The Authority operates under the direction of a five member Board of Commissioners, and in accordance with the laws of the State of West Virginia and Federal Laws applicable to Housing Authorities.
The agency provides rental subsidy programs to low and very-low income families within Mercer County, and operates the Public Housing Program in the City of Bluefield. Approximately 565 families within the County depend on the Housing Authority for help with obtaining and keeping safe, decent, sanitary and affordable housing. Housing programs are funded solely by federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Authority has a ten year history of providing activities and programs for youth and young adults in the community. Statistics show that children who are economically disadvantaged meet the federal and state guidelines for being "at-risk" for drug and alcohol abuse, and involvement in criminal activities. Programs offered by the Authority through camps, sports programs, and other activities provide educational and recreational activities to keep young community members involved in alternative activities to drugs, alcohol and crime. These programs are funded by grants, when available, and by contributions from local business that support the agency's efforts to work.
"The agency is a proud sponsor of the Bluefield Blazers youth basketball team, which has helped many young men in the area to improve athletic abilities and sportsmanship, relate to role models, develop and improve social skills, and increase awareness of the effects of drugs and alcohol," said Cindy Preast, Executive Director. "The team has traveled to many states in the east to compete in tournaments, and has hosted successful tournaments in Bluefield. To participate on the team, players must maintain a minimum GPA or be in tutoring (provided by the agency), and must remain drug and alcohol free. They also must remain free of behavior that violates federal, state and local laws."
"On July 14th, The Housing Authoritiy Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to develop a team to participate in the American Basketball Association," added Ms. Preast. "The goals of the agency in developing our team, the West Virginia Blazers, are to provide another positive activity for young men in the area, to provide the community with benefits of a professional basketball team and to raise money to continue to support programs and activities to serve at-risk youth. We are very proud to be part of the ABA."
For more information, email cindybha@comcast.net, call 304 325 9653x21 or visit www.abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
American Basketball Association Stories from July 15, 2008
- Alaska Dream Schedules First Team Tryouts - ABA
- Kentucky Mavericks have Busy Week Scheduled - Kentucky Mavericks
- ABA expands to Bluefield, West Virginia - ABA
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
