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ABA presents ABA Bounce outreach program

December 17, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Atlanta, GA. Joe Newman, ABA co-Founder, announced that the league has joined with Global Project Evaluators, Inc. and its CEO, Eugene Fletcher II to launch an exciting program designed for elementary through high school students to combine proven established strategies with innovative approaches and comprehensive programs to implement community-based Mentoring Programs, Health and Wellness, Anger Management/Conflict Resolution, Youth Entrepreneurship/Education and School-to-Work components as well as after school, weekend and summer mentoring programs.

According to Fletcher, the goal of the program "is to provide a combination of great sports and entertainment that will make the ABA Bounce program a fun, enjoyable and memorable experience for youth of all ages as well as providing strong life messages." Fletcher added, "Through ABA BOUNCE, we believe education and learning can be enhanced by a community effort of support for young people in need."

Newman added, "The ABA believes in a quote made by Malcolm X which states: "Education is an important element in the struggle for human rights. It is the means to help our children and people rediscover their identity and thereby increase their self-respect. Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who are prepared for it today." The ABA feels that it has an obligation that extends beyond simply playing basketball games. Our goal is to do something really significant; something that will have long-lasting impact on youth."

The ABA BOUNCE program will be represented in all ABA cities with the objective of partnering with either Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs or other local not-for-profit youth organizations. The collaboration has been named ABA BOUNCE or American Basketball Association Bringing Opportunities to Underprivileged Neighborhood Children Through Sports and Entertainment.

Fletcher has assembled a team of best practice professionals to address the at-risk populations' current concerns. "We are developing our funding strategies now - strategies that include government and private grants, sponsorships, fund-raising activities - and hope to rollout the entire program beginning this spring and having it in full operation by the start of the school year," said Fletcher. "This is a very ambitious program, especially for a young league like the ABA to undertake. But then, when you look at this league and what it has achieved, nothing surprises me."

For more information about ABA Bounce relating to scheduling, sponsorship, interviews, visit www.ababounce.or, or email Eugene Fletcher II at efletcher@gpeinc.com or call 866 GPE 5475 or 770 465 3000 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.

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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.


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