Jaguars helping in the community
July 27, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
New Jersey SkyCats News Release
The expansion New Jersey Jaguars of the American Basketball Association are continuing to make an impact on the local community in preparation for their 2004-2005 season debut.
The team has conducted a series of free clinics for attendees to area basketball camps in Midland Park, Mahwah and Norwood, NJ, as well as regional area YMCAs. Conducted by team Owner/President Ron Eford, these clinics go beyond teaching simple drills to the players; lectures to the group revolve around themes of hard work and practice to succeed in life as well as basketball, the importance of being a good citizen in the community, and turning away from peer pressure. The next scheduled clinic will be held on Thursday, July 29, in conjunction with the Pequannock Recreation Day Camp in Pequannock Township, NJ. During these camps, free ticket vouchers for the upcoming season are distributed, along with more information on the team and the ABA.
The team, which will open its season in November, will play its home games at the newly constructed Bill Bradley Center on the campus of Ramapo College in Mahwah, NJ. To assist in the scouting of local area basketball talent, the Jaguars are conducting a series of free-agent tryout camps, the second of which will be held on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1, at the Hoopzone in Englewood, NJ (www.hoopzone.net). Each day's session will start at 12:00 noon. The cost is $150 (payable by money order or cashier's check) and enrollment will be limited to the first 40 applicants.
According to Director of Game Operations Adam Colaizzi, "We feel that the Jaguars, and the ABA as a whole, can fill a niche as fun and affordable sports entertainment for the whole family. Ron and I feel very strongly that a family should be able to go to a sporting event without draining their wallet. We are in the process of finalizing our home schedule, and are planning to make each game an event, with inter-active contests for fans tall and small.
"We have already received inquiries from people eager to help us maximize the game day experience, from announcers to staffing to volunteering as our mascot, 'Shimmy.' These free youth clinics are our chance to connect with the local young players and our potential fan base. Whereas there are a number of professional sports teams competing in Northern New Jersey during the summer months as alternatives to the 'major leagues' - the Juggernaut (softball) and Pride (lacrosse), along with the Jackals, Bears, Cardinals, and Patriots (baseball), during the winter, there is no alternative to the Nets and Devils; and they are either looking to move or potentially going on strike."
Colaizzi continued, "There is a tremendous population of young basketball players in the area around Ramapo College. Our goal is to give all of them, from 'biddy' leagues to the high school level, the chance to see the Jaguars and join our family. We are proud to have secured a number of sponsors and advertisers, which will only help to enhance the franchise, on and off the court. We intend to become the flagship franchise for the ABA, and these clinics and camps will help us achieve that goal."
For more information on the New Jersey Jaguars, contact the team at adamc@JerseyJaguars.com, by phone at (917) 686-0204, or log on to www.JerseyJaguars.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 27, 2004
- New Jersey Jaguars focus on community impact - New Jersey SkyCats
- Jacksonville Wave dance team to perform at USA vs Puerto Rico basketball game - Jacksonville Slam
- Jaguars helping in the community - New Jersey SkyCats
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.
