Young Men United Basketball Classic set for Saturday
Basketball fans will have a chance to help a good cause, as well as an opportunity to see the skills — or lack thereof — of several local professionals next week.
Local doctors, lawyers and educators will take to the hardwood as the main event of the inaugural Young Men United Basketball Classic Saturday night at the Civic Center, facing the Young Men United Clowns to conclude a night of action scheduled to raise funds for YMU projects throughout the year.
“It’s going to be a fun night,” said YMU member Wayne Wolford. “We hope people from the community can come out and enjoy a good night of basketball for a good cause.”
The evening’s activities begin at 7 p.m., with boys and girls youth games kicking off the action. YMU’s youth boys will take on Dibrell’s boys, while the YMU girls are set to face one of the top girls teams from the Jaycee Youth Leagues.
But the evening’s main attraction will be when the adults take the floor, as the Clowns — a team made up of YMU members — faces off against a squad made up largely of players whose talents are usually shown in the courtroom, hospital room or classroom, rather than the basketball court.
Wolford said local attorneys Michael Galligan and Robert Newman have agreed to participate, as have doctors Jim Jenkins and Danny Glover, as well as Steve Otto, CEO of River Park Hospital. Representing Warren County High School will be assistant principal Jeffery Martin, as well as varsity basketball coaches Ann Eades and Doug Keil.
In addition to an exciting night of hoops, fans will have the opportunity to get in on the action, with a big-money halfcourt shot attempt up for grabs.
Young Men United was founded in 1998, with a commitment to help others in this community and any individual or family who needs assistance due to health, disaster or financial strife. The organization is also committed to helping the area’s young people grow into solid citizens, by providing leadership and mentoring to help build character.
Among the several causes sponsored by YMU in the past year were winter programs at Bobby Ray Gym, Christmas dinners for the needy, donations to the African-American Athletic and Scholarship Banquet held last week at the Civic Center, and various donations to individual families in need.
“We have several different goals and projects we do through the year, sometimes emergencies come up where people need a little help, and $50 just doesn’t go that far,” Wolford said. “We hope the Classic helps us set aside some funds where we can be there when we’re needed in a crisis.”
Tickets for Saturday’s Classic are available from YMU members, and on sale at the Civic Center office. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 5-17 years old, and free for children 4 and under.