‘Lil ones learn from ‘Cats
The Georgia College & State University men’s basketball team is holding a clinic this fall to teach children the fundamentals of basketball. The clinic is called the Bobcat Bouncers. Men’s basketball coach Terry Sellers has created the Bobcat Bouncers program to teach children the basics of basketball through fun, excitement and competition of organized basketball.
“It is good to do something to get the athletes more involved with the community. When we get the players involved with the community, we receive more interest from the community,” Assistant Athletics Director for Public Relations, Brad Muller said.
Sellers got the idea for the program in his years as a coach in Alabama.
“Years ago I saw a national basketball program in Alabama that had kids perform at halftimes. The program generated a lot of interest and I used this idea as a coach at University of Montevallo in Montevallo, AL and at Patrick Henry State Junior College in Monroeville, AL. I used the idea a few years ago at GC&SU. The program was a huge success and I am bringing it back,” Sellers said.
The program is a fundraiser for the basketball program and all proceeds will be specifically put into the men’s basketball program.
“When a team wants to conduct a fundraiser with involvement from the community it is approved easily. The fundraiser is not too great of a cost to the school. The T-shirts and basketballs are items the school has in bulk. The fundraisers always get a positive response from the kids and the athletes get a lot from it and have a good time,” Muller said.
The university advertised the program in many ways. They advertised in the Union Recorder, on the radio station Country FM 102.3 WKZR and its sister station AM 1450. The university also passed out flyers to recreation centers, churches, and schools.
The primary aim of the program is for the team to give something back to the community.
“The best part about this program is seeing our players work with the kids and seeing the kids come to the games and cheer on our players,” Sellers said.
In every sport at GC&SU it is a goal to reach out to the community.
“We want all athletic teams to do something community based. Athletes at GC&SU volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club, are pen pals with local elementary kids, and participate in free clinics held here on campus,” Muller said.
The Bobcat Bouncers is a program that presents the game of basketball to kids in a form they can enjoy and understand. It is open to boys and girls in grades one through five. The program will be held in four different Saturday sessions with GC&SU coaches and players. Sessions will be held from 10 a.m. until noon on Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Dec. 4 and Dec. 18. The cost of entering the program is $60 if registered before October 30 and $75 for late registration.
Each participant will receive a junior sized basketball, Bobcat Bouncers T-shirt, Bobcat Bouncers membership card and one season ticket to GC&SU home basketball games. Bobcat Bouncers will perform at halftime of selected GC&SU basketball games.
“The program is a good idea to get the kids and their parents interested in the basketball program at GC&SU,” Sellers said.
? The idea of the program is for the child to correctly learn the basics of the game before attempting advanced techniques. Smaller basketballs will be used to accommodate the child and enhance his or her chances of being successful. The program will complement the later teachings in junior high and high school basketball programs.
To register, call GC&SU Assistant Coach Mark Gainous at (478) 445-1777. Enrollment will be limited to the first 100 participants; 25 to 30 kids have already registered.
“The program fits right in with our basketball program. It is important to recruit good players who are willing to give back something to the community,” Sellers said.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 29 2004. Filed under Sports.
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