WNBA launches new community initiative for 10th anniversary
May 8, 2006 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release
NEW YORK, May 8, 2006 -- The WNBA and its teams will launch a season-long initiative entitled "10 Years of Caring," this week with community events throughout the country. Teams will be active in their respective markets engaging with fans in a variety of programs, including WNBA Be Smart-Be Fit-Be Yourself clinics, Read to Achieve reading rallies, Jr. WNBA clinics, Habitat for Humanity builds, school visits and much more.
"10 Years of Caring" celebrates 10 seasons of the WNBA's commitment to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on promoting a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, raising awareness for women's health, youth and family development, and education.
"We take pride in the role WNBA teams and players have undertaken in their communities. Our athletes are strong, passionate and determined individuals who are positive role models for people who aspire to great things," said WNBA President Donna Orender. "Through the '10 Years of Caring' initiative players demonstrate the fundamentals of our game -- teamwork, dedication and determination -- on and off the court."
In honor of "10 Years of Caring", Mayors of WNBA cities including Charlotte, Detroit, Indiana and Sacramento, among others will officially proclaim select days of the week, WNBA 10 Years of Caring Day.
Below are select highlights of WNBA 10 Years of Caring activities:
Charlotte: The Sting will host a WNBA Be Smart-Be Fit-Be Yourself clinic at First Ward Elementary School on May 10, followed by a school visit to Trinity Middle School on May 11, a visit to the Presbyterian Hemby's Children's Hospital on May 12 and a visit to EE Waddell High School on May 13.
Connecticut: The Sun will conduct a "WNBA Be Fit Challenge" with 10 schools in the Connecticut area. The winning school will win $3,000 for their athletic department.
Detroit: The Shock will build a new Reading & Learning Center at the Ferguson Academy for Young Women. The project includes extensive renovations to improve the school's facilities The team will break ground on May 9 and the new WNBA Read to Achieve library, WNBA Be Fit gym and Swin Cash Step to Success auditorium will be officially revealed on May 18.
Houston: The Comets will host a special 10th Anniversary season tip-off festival at McDade Elementary School on May 10. Comets players will conduct a WNBA Be Smart-Be Fit-Be Yourself clinic for the students.
Indiana: The Fever will team up with Habitat for Humanity for a special Mother's Day Build on May 10, followed by a Choices for Champions clinic on May 11, and a WNBA Read to Achieve reading rally at St. Vincent's Children's Hospital on May 15.
Los Angeles: The Sparks will host a 10th Anniversary season tip-off event for fans at the Santa Monica Pier on May 13, followed by a WNBA Be Smart-Be Fit-Be Yourself clinic at the WNBA Be Fit Tour stop at Downtown Disney on May 14.
New York: The Liberty will team up with Project Sunshine to host a WNBA Read to Achieve reading rally at Mt. Sinai Hospital on May 10. Phoenix: The Mercury will host a special 10th Anniversary season tip-off fan festival at Desert Ridge Market Place on May 7, where Mercury players will conduct a WNBA Be Smart-Be Fit-Be Yourself clinic as part of the WNBA Be Fit Tour's stop in Phoenix.
Washington: The Mystics will host a WNBA Read to Achieve reading rally at the NIH Children's Hospital on May 10, followed by a visit to the Ronald McDonald House on May 11.
In support of the "10 Years of Caring" initiative, Spalding donated limited-edition WNBA 10th Anniversary basketballs to be used in team's fitness clinics. In addition, television stations across the nation will display the WNBA 10th Anniversary basketball on their sets through the week of May 8th to celebrate their local team's work in the community. For every basketball that makes it on air, the WNBA is donating $100 - up to $10,000 total - to the station's local Boys & Girls Clubs, a WNBA Cares community partner that share the league's vision for enabling young people to reach their full potential.
The WNBA's 10th anniversary season tips off on Saturday, May 20, 2006 and will include ABC's broadcast of the defending WNBA Champion Sacramento Monarchs as they commemorate their 2005 WNBA title by raising the championship banner prior to squaring off against All-Star guard Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury at ARCO Arena beginning at 4 p.m. EDT. The league's 10th season also will feature appointment viewing on Tuesday nights as ESPN2 will televise 14 WNBA games - including five doubleheaders - on Tuesdays this spring/summer.
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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.
