News release from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne:
All-Star Classic to highlight top middle school basketball players
Local celebrities will coach the games, made possible by Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne and MVP Basketball partnership(April 15, 2016) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne and MVP Basketball have partnered to bring the annual Allen County Middle School All-Star Classic to the community on April 18, 2016. The games, sponsored by Parkview Health, will take place at the Spiece Fieldhouse (5310 Merchandise Drive), starting at 6:00 pm. Participants will arrive by 5:00 pm to sign in and receive their game jersey and t-shirt.
The All-Star Classic features the top middle school players from the Fort Wayne area, who were nominated by their middle school coaches. The players were selected because of their successful basketball season.
The event will be coached by a number of local celebrities and role models that include Head Coaches: Dan Kline (Hall of Fame Coach – Indiana Tech), Ray Sims (All-State Indiana High School Coach), Darin Archbold (Butler
University Star and Hall of Famer) and Kevin Bloom (Mad Ants Basketball Coach). These men will be assisted by Dean Pantazi (21 Alive), Glenn Marini (WANE TV), Tommy Schoegler (Parkview Sports Medicine and 21 Alive) and FW Police Chief Garry Hamilton. Current high school stars, Kyle Mallers (Carroll), Keion Brooks (North Side), Jalen Paul (Canterbury) and Will Davidson (Blackhawk Christian) will also serve as assistant coaches.The All-Star Classic 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.”
Allen County Middle School All-Star Classic will be held Monday, April 18, 2016 at the Spiece Fieldhouse. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Games start at 6:00 p.m.
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 www.bgcfw.org.
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