NBDL Active in Community
Published on January 14, 2003 under NBA G League (G League) News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. (January 14, 2003) - With an emphasis on literacy, the importance of children and the celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the eight National Basketball Development League teams are scheduled to participate in a combined 45 community programs during the month of January. Of those appearances, a third will be directly related to the NBDL Read to Achieve initiative.
The centerpiece of the NBDL community relations efforts is the Read to Achieve program, which works to instill a life long love of reading and encourages families and adults to read regularly with young children. With the support of national partners such as Reading Is Fundamental and Scholastic Inc., Read to Achieve will provide over 150,000 children with reading materials such as reading kits and books throughout the eight NBDL communities.
"One of the main goals of the NBDL is to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we play," NBDL President Phil Evans said. "Our players, coaches and staff put a tremendous amount of passion and energy toward that goal.
"Through various programs, we strive to provide unparalleled time and access to our players, coaches and staff on a year-round basis," Evans said. "That mission will never change."
In addition to Reading Time-outs, several teams are spending time with the youth of their communities in other ways. For example, Riverdragons players Derek Strong and Tyrone Washington are scheduled to participate in Columbus Kids Café on Jan. 16, where the players will serve hot meals to children who normally wouldn't receive one at home.
Asheville players will conduct a mini-basketball clinic for Special Olympics on Jan. 22 before taking part in Project Hands On in conjunction with the City of Asheville Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebration. On Jan 22, Huntsville Flight players will visit Children's Hospital before hosting the Upward Bound basketball Clinic Jan. 29.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations around the NBDL range from a halftime performance of the play "Coretta: The Other Side of the Dream" in Columbus, to a mural created at the Mobile game where fans of all ages will be encouraged to write, paint or draw what peace means to them.
Fayetteville will host a Kids Day and pre-game basketball clinic on MLK Day, with a Read to Achieve presentation at halftime. Members of the North Charleston front office staff, along with mascot Al Lowgator, will take part in the YWCA's MLK celebration in downtown Charleston before participating in a discussion forum to provide Lowcountry children with information about Dr. King.
The Greenville Groove and Mobile Revelers lead the way in Read to Achieve Time-outs for the month of January, with each team hosting five events. On Jan. 23, the Roanoke Dazzle will conduct a "Character Counts" assembly at Goodview Elementary.
By the end of January, NBDL teams will have taken part in a total of 99 community programs while playing in or presenting 88 professional basketball games over the last two months.
NBA G League Stories from January 14, 2003
- Reading Stampede Continues - Idaho Stampede
- Marshall Back To Mobile, Lowgators Release Brewer - G League
- NBDL Active in Community - G League
- TV Appearance, Hero Recognition Highlights Hoops Hysteria Saturday - Huntsville Flight
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.
