News release from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne:
First Annual March Madness Tournament for Middle Schoolers to be Held
Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne and MVP Basketball are partners in this NCAA-style tournament for local middle schools.(March 4, 2016) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne and MVP Basketball have partnered to bring the first annual March Middle School Madness Tournament to the community. The tournament will begin on March 7, 2016 and conclude with the championship games on March 10, 2016.
The basketball teams at all public and private middle schools in the greater Fort Wayne area have been invited to participate in this single elimination tournament. Brackets will be determined through an online blind draw, and teams will advance through the tournament, with college NCAA-style tournament rules. The winning team will take home a 5-foot travelling trophy to display proudly at their school. The tournament, limited to boys’ teams this year, will be expanded to include both a girls and a boys championship next year.
The tournament was organized by Mitch Sturm, founder of MVP Basketball and a former Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club in Marion, Indiana, and Joe Jordan, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne.
Both men have pursued careers that are dedicated to youth development and believe in the positive role that sports play in developing a strong work ethic, responsibility and accountability. They share the belief that sports and education go hand in hand, and can open doors to a higher education, especially for children from low- income families.
“Both Joe [Jordan] and I have ran our own programs and we have done several great projects in the past. Each has produced a multitude of success stories. This partnership is going to greatly expand the youth basketball opportunities in the Fort Wayne area,” comments Mitch Sturm, founder of MVP Basketball, “With our core programs, not only will we build Academics through Athletics, we will prepare the kids to be successful on the court, but more importantly in life. With our annual events, we will provide kids a chance to have a great time, make new friends and create memories. We have a great and supportive sponsor, and we will be incorporating many area ‘celebrities’ and role models to work with program participants. I am very excited about this partnership.”
March Middle School Madness Tournament Games will be held:
- March 6 & 7, 2016, 6:00 p.m. at Spiece Fieldhouse
- March 10, 2016, 5:30 p.m. at Indiana Tech.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne is a nonprofit organization that provides structured afterschool programs that emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles. Every year, nearly 3,000 children, between 6-18 years old, attend life-changing programs at four Clubs located in high-need areas of Fort Wayne.Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne puts children and teens first by focusing on their mission “to inspire all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens”.
“Great Futures Start Here” at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne – Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne website.
About MVB Basketball
MVB Basketball provides structured, supportive and competitive opportunities for student athletes, especially those from low-income, high-risk environments.. Our primary goal is to teach and lead the student athlete in developing a strong work ethic through discipline, detail, responsibility and accountability, while helping them understand the importance of working diligently to be the best they can be both on the court as well as in the classroom and in the community.MVP Basketball has helped over 180 athletes to receive scholarship offers. Current NBA All-Star, Zach Randolph played on the first MVP Basketball team in 1995. Through MVP Basketball, the self-esteem and self-concept, of several hundred young men increased, helping them to become caring, productive members of their community.
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