Number of Participants: 75
Hours Donated: 7
Value of Time Served: $4,436
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Basketball
School: Owego Free Academy
Date: February 18, 2025
Location:
Owego Free Academy
Sheldon Guile Boulevard, Owego
NY
About:
The OA Basketball Club has demonstrated the power of mentorship and community by bringing together all levels of their boys and girls programs to inspire the next generation of athletes. In collaboration with the K-1st Instructional Division, high school athletes from the Modified, JV, and Varsity teams joined forces to lead skill stations and provide hands-on instruction at the elementary school gym.
Under the guidance of Coach Woolever and all the program coaches, the young RiverHawks were introduced to the fundamentals of basketball in a fun and engaging environment. The high school players led by example, demonstrating skills, offering encouragement, and sharing their love for the game. Their leadership and enthusiasm created an unforgettable experience for the youngest members of the OA Basketball Club community.
This collaborative effort not only strengthened the bond between athletes of different ages but also highlighted the positive influence high school students can have on younger players. By serving as role models, the OA athletes helped bridge the connection between the youth OA Basketball Club and the OA school programs.
The initiative goes beyond Saturday mornings. To further inspire and motivate young players, the OA Basketball Club hosts youth nights, where 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade teams are invited to play during halftime at high school games. This tradition fosters a sense of community and excitement, with younger athletes looking up to their high school mentors.
Through programs like these, the OA Basketball Club continues to shine as a supportive and inclusive sports community, empowering young athletes and cultivating leadership skills in its high school players.
Approx 75 athletes volunteered for 7 one hour sessions on Saturdays with approx 40+ K-1st graders on the following dates:
Dec 7 – Boys modified 8th
Jan 4 – Girls JV
