Number of Participants: 30
Hours Donated: 18
Value of Time Served: $4,563
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Basketball
School: Caledonia-Mumford High School
Date: February 18, 2025
Location:
Cal-Mum High School
North Street, Caledonia
NY
About:
The 2025 Biddy Basketball program concluded its season with a grand finale during the annual Biddy Night Halftime Shows at the JV and Varsity Girls Basketball games. These highly anticipated halftime performances have become a cherished tradition, celebrating the growth, learning, and enjoyment that the program fosters among young athletes.
For over 50 years, Biddy Basketball has been an integral part of the Cal-Mum community, offering a six-week Saturday morning program for more than 80 eager Pre-K to 2nd-grade participants. This year’s program was once again led by Tim McArdle, who is in his 17th season directing the initiative. His leadership continues to make the program a memorable and impactful experience for all involved.
What sets Biddy Basketball apart is the involvement of JV and Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball players, who volunteer their time to mentor and support the younger athletes. This connection between older and younger players is one of the program’s most unique aspects, as it fosters meaningful bonds and allows high school athletes to pass down valuable lessons to the next generation.
Throughout the program, high school student-athletes dedicate their Saturday mornings, volunteering for seven sessions from 8-10 AM. Under McArdle’s direction, they assist in running drills and skills sessions, ensuring that young participants engage in structured and enjoyable activities. High school players not only facilitate learning but also help shy children transition away from their parents, ensuring they feel comfortable and included. Additionally, they assist with minor injuries and provide support wherever needed.
Each group of younger athletes has the opportunity to perform a routine during halftime at a boys’ or girls’ high school basketball game. To accommodate this, high school teams even shorten their halftime discussions, allowing their players to return to the court and lead the younger participants.
As a small school community, this program serves as an excellent way to introduce young children to basketball while providing older students with meaningful mentorship opportunities. A special thank you goes out to the JV and Varsity players for their continued dedication to this program. Their mentorship and commitment leave a lasting impact on these young athletes, shaping the future of Cal-Mum basketball.
Appreciation is also extended to all Biddy Basketball participants and their families for being part of this special program. The community eagerly looks forward to welcoming everyone back in 2026!
