Patriots distribute free tickets to county teachers

Published on April 4, 2006 under NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release


FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., April 4 - The NBA Development League's Fayetteville Patriots announced Tuesday that, as part of an initiative with the Cumberland County School System's Project Move, all county teachers are receiving a free ticket to Friday night's home finale at the Crown Coliseum.

Since its start in 2004, Project Move has battled the childhood obesity problem by showing kids that physical activity can be fun. Movement is worked into the school curriculum, incorporating activity into academic subjects like math, literature, and science. The home environment is targeted by Family Fitness Nights, special evenings at schools where families can get together and get active. These events highlight several fun activities, award door prizes and teach about healthy food choices.

The Patriots and the NBA Development League have supported Project Move as part of the NBA's Be Smart, Be Fit, Be Yourself program that focuses on education, exercise and self-esteem.

"The Patriots have contributed so much to this community," said Shirley Johnson, the school system's Healthful Living Coordinator. "I believe it's part of their mission to help improve the lives of children and I think that's great. They have targeted fitness, weight control and diabetes, and anytime we can get people educated about improving their lives, it's a good thing."

Earlier this season, the Patriots produced a special publication, Sgt. Slam's Health & Fitness Guide, that was distributed to all county schools. The booklet challenged children with word games and quizzes on the topic of physical fitness, led by the Patriots' mascot, Sgt. Slam.

"I thought that was awesome," Johnson said. "It integrated the information in a way that the children have responded to. It's really a quality project. Teachers have embraced it and a lot of them are asking for more copies."

A Center For Disease Control study says that more than 16 percent of American school children are overweight.

"We recognize that childhood obesity is a problem that is only going to get worse if we don't address it now," said Patriots president Todd DeMoss. "Our efforts to help local kids have been met with complete enthusiasm by all of the schools and teachers, and inviting them out to a night on us is just our way of saying ‘Thanks.'"

The Patriots host the Roanoke Dazzle on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and then close out their season at Florida on Saturday.

The NBA Development League includes the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Florida Flame (Ft. Myers), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.). The Bakersfield Jam (Calif.) will compete in the league beginning with the 2006-07 season.

The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Forty-three (43) players have been called up to the NBA on 63 separate occasions. Eleven (11) former D-League coaches, six athletic trainers, 14 referees and 30 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league's inaugural season in November 2001.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.

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